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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mead sweeps Shadle Park in GSL opener

The Mead Panthers are on the prowl again – and in typical fashion, they are taking no prisoners.

Alexis Olgard led all players with nine kills and five blocks and Beth Altena added eight kills as the four-time defending state champions shrugged off a slow start to defeat visiting Shadle Park 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 in a Greater Spokane League regular-season opener on Tuesday.

“We need to start a little stronger,” Mead coach Judy Kight said, “and Shadle is a tough team. They have good hitters, they are scrappy, they are a strong team.”

The Panthers jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the opening game, but the Highlanders – just as quickly – proved why they are one of the top teams in the league.

Down 18-12, junior setter Lindsay Niemeier, who finished with 26 assists, served five straight points to pull Shadle within a point at 18-17.

An Olgard kill later, the Panthers strung four straight points together to pull away.

Brianne Brown, who led the Highlanders with eight kills, three aces and two blocks, cranked a kill up the line and blocked an Olgard attempt to earn two more points – but Mead pulled together and Brown’s serve at 24-22 sailed long as the Panthers took the game.

“I felt like we didn’t lay down and die – we fought hard,” Shadle coach Brooke Cooper said. “I feel like we have a much quicker defense this year and we are just starting to put it together – I think we will be even scrappier as the season goes on.”

Mead picked up momentum in the second and third games, and finished the match on a Chelsea Pangborn kill and a Shadle service error at match point.

“We are getting better every time we come out,” Kight said. “A big positive for us is that this was a total team effort.”

In other GSL openers, Laurie Yearout and Oceana Bush led Lewis and Clark to a 25-15, 30-28, 25-12 victory over Central Valley at LC. Bush finished with 12 kills and 13 digs and Yearout led the Tigers with 19 assists. Shannon Giusti had 17 assists, 10 digs and two aces for CV. … Caitlin Barschig had 14 kills and five blocks as Mt. Spokane held on to defeat host Gonzaga Prep 25-19, 10-25, 15-25, 25-16, 15-11. Morgan Nitta had 28 assists and five aces for G-Prep. … Eileen Chatfield had seven assists and four aces to lead University past host Rogers 25-13, 25-7, 25-13. Rochelle Griffith had four kills, five digs and one ace for Rogers. … Nicole Graybeal had 11 kills and 11 blocks and Kim Latwesen served five aces in visiting North Central’s 25-20, 25-17, 27-25 sweep of Ferris. Carianna Rath led the Saxons with 18 kills. Kristina Conley had 22 digs for the Indians.

“In Great Northern League openers, Meghan Barrington had eight kills, six digs and six aces as Pullman defeated host Medical Lake 25-20, 25-21, 25-13. Carly Dorshorst led the Cardinals with eight kills. … Led by Melissa Veale’s 13 kills, four aces and two blocks, Deer Park came back to defeat Cheney 20-25, 25-17, 25-12, 29-27. Millie Holy led the Blackhawks with seven kills and three blocks. … Alyssa Wold and Brittany Anderson got the Eagles off to a quick start in the fifth game of West Valley’s 22-25, 25-10, 27-29, 25-19, 15-6 win over Riverside. Wold and Anderson combined for 12 aces for WV. Joni Nagy had 14 kills and 10 digs for the Rams.