Panthers Volleyball Comes Up Big In Weekend Series

The Panthers improved to 7-2 in Sun Lakes conference play with wins over Pasco-Hernando and Gulf Coast State College on Saturday.

Against Pasco-Hernando, Palm Beach saw strong performances from Rita Gonzalez Cuevas Campos, Angelina Botolino, and Hailey Hart. All three tied for the team-high with 11 kills in the match. Allyson Crossland, who received some extended playing time, finished with 7 kills.

After dropping set one to Pasco, Palm Beach easily won the next two sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-16. PBSC had a lead in set 4 but could not quite shut the door as the visiting Bobcats rallied back to take the set 25-23. With the game in balance, Palm Beach relied on their stellar hitting to once again take a decisive 5th set from their opponent.

After playing St. Petersburg on Friday night, PBSC relied heavily on rotating players in and out to preserve energy. The Panthers received contributions from 14 players, including 3 setters that received extended playing time. Samantha Beas finished with a season-high 15 assists. Defensively, the Panthers received contributions all around, as 3 Panthers totaled double-digit DIG totals. Darlenis Medina once again led the club with 29 DIGS.

In game #2 on the day, Palm Beach matched up with the defending Division II state champions in Gulf Coast State College. The Panthers got off to a bit of a slow start, dropping the 1st set 25-9. Once they settled in, Palm Beach matched Gulf Coast the whole way through, winning sets 25-23, 27-25, and 16-14. Both teams were incredibly evenly matched. This could very well be a matchup in the state tournament.

Angelina Botolino led the club with 16.5 points, including 13 kills. Natalie Faulkner had 42 assists, which marks the 3rd time this season she has gone over 40 assists in a match. Darlenis Medina and Faulkner were both active on the back end, as they both finished with double-digit DIG totals for the 2nd straight match.

Unfortunately, after 4 games in 3 days, the winning streak was snapped with a loss to Pensacola State College on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers lost 2 sets by 3 points or less, winning the 2nd set 25-15. Both teams were evenly matched and this is another team that could be playing its way towards a state tournament bid.

Nina Vallesi had a coming out party against Pensacola with a whopping 16 kills and 18 total points. She was quite the force as any ball that came her way she demolished on the other side. Angelina Botolino continued her outstanding weekend with another solid offensive performance. She totaled 13 points and 11 kills. Hailey Hart finished with 10 points and 8 kills. Natalie Faulkner once again topped 40 assists -- this time in back-to-back games for this first time this season. Darlenis Medina led the club with 15 DIGS.

The Panthers get some much-needed rest before heading to play South FL State College in a rematch of opening night on Wednesday before receiving the weekend off.

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