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In a classic clash between two SWAL rivals it was Mineral Point who prevailed in a hard-fought 3-2 decision.
While it was a win for the Pointers the performance by the Panthers was something coach Lois Peart was hoping to see.
"I felt we put our best team performance together tonight and that is great to see at this point in the season," Peart said. "It was a tough and disappointing loss for a group of kids that put it all on the line. We get another chance next Tuesday and we'll get back into the gym and work to get a little better each day."
Scores were 13-25, 25-27, 25-15, 25-23, 15-12 with the first two sets going to the Panthers.
Following are the leading statistics for both teams:
Mineral Point Stats
Kills:
Kennedy Kabat 12, Emma Steffes 10
Blocks:
Blair Watters 8, Kennedy Kabat 4
Aces:
Mallory Lindsey 5, Kennedy Kabat and Ivy Lawinger each with 3
Assists:
Mallory Lindsey 25 Ivy Lawinger 15
Iowa-Grant Stats:
Kills:
Mya McCarthy and Makayla Pilling 9 each and Lexi Vavricka 7
Block:
Lexi Vavricka and Makayla Pilling 2 each
Aces:
Hazel Klosterman 5 Taylor Runde 2
Assist:
Hazel Klosterman 18
Digs:
Ella Zimmer 20 Hazel Klosterman 14
"It was a great rivalry match between two neighboring schools," Peart said. "I was pleased with our effort from the opening serve. The girls did a great job jumping out in front in set one. In set two we battled it out to pull off a tight match. We had a bit of a letdown in set three, and missed three serves that helped to put our backs to the wall. I was extremely proud of our fighting back in the fourth set. We had our chances and just didn't capitalize on a few opportunities that we needed to take advantage of. The fifth set was another dog fight. It was a great match and we just came up a little short."
Peart feels the showing by the Panthers signals good things to come for the team.
"I think we made a huge step tonight. We focused on our passing game and we really turned that around from Tuesday night," said Peart. "Ella Zimmer and Lauren Linscheid really stepped up their passing game tonight and did a really nice job defensively. Hazel Klosterman did a great job of moving the ball around offensively tonight and that was something we needed to do. We needed a few more kids involved offensively and I think that was a positive tonight."
Peart feels the work the girls are doing in practice is paying off on the court.
"The kids did everything we focused on preparing for this match and you can't ask any more of them than that," the coach said. "Again, Hazel Klosterman made some huge serves for us and led us with five aces. Taylor Runde had two aces and really made some great serving runs for us. Taylor has just been steady serving all season."
The play at the net was strong for the Panthers.
"Mya and Makayla led us in kills and really worked hard at the net to get around a really tough Mineral Point block," Peart said. "I was pleased with Lexi Vavricka coming through with seven kills, her best offensive performance of the year. We just need to continue working to put the ball away, being aggressive offensively."