Lady Panthers Split District Matches, Bounce Back with Sweep of Kirbyville

By Sharisa Nelson, Sports Reporter

The Anahuac Lady Panthers continued district volleyball action last week, hosting the Orangefield Lady Bobcats on Tuesday, September 15th, before welcoming the Kirbyville Lady Cats to Anahuac on Friday, September 18th.

Anahuac opened the week against Orangefield but fell to the Lady Bobcats in three sets, 25-17, 25-19 and 25-9. Despite the loss, the Lady Panthers had several individual performances that stood out.

#12 Addi Pierce and #10 Lanecia Schonberg each recorded three kills, while #3 Tatum Hampton added two kills. Pierce also contributed four total blocks and three digs. #4 Rai’Ana Lewis led the team with 10 digs. #13 Sky Hedges finished with six digs and two assists.

As a team, Anahuac recorded eight kills, six assists, six total blocks and 25 digs in the match. The Lady Panthers also served at a 90.2-percent success rate.

The Lady Panthers responded on Friday with a strong performance against Kirbyville, earning a 3-0 sweep. Anahuac controlled all three sets, winning 25-16, 25-21 and 25-17.

Anahuac’s offense came alive against Kirbyville, finishing with 24 kills and a .298 team hitting percentage. #10 Lanecia Schonberg led the attack with seven kills on seven attempts, while #3 Tatum Hampton and #12 Addi Pierce each recorded six kills. #4 Rai’Ana Lewis added four kills, and #13 Sky Hedges finished with one.

The Lady Panthers also received strong defensive efforts. #1 Brecken Wilpitz recorded nine digs. Lewis had six digs, #9 Addi DeHoyos recorded four and Hedges added five. DeHoyos finished with nine assists, while Hedges added eight assists.

The victory marked Anahuac’s first district win of the season, moving the Lady Panthers to 1-3 in district play and 16-15 overall.

The Lady Panthers are on the road this week as they continued district play on Tuesday, September 22^nd in Kountze taking on the Lady Lions. They will then travel to Tarkington on Friday, September 25^th to take on the Lady Longhorns.