Panthers get nudge from LC

A winner and a loser were determined in the District 8 4A championship between Mead and Lewis and Clark, but both teams emerged feeling pretty good about themselves.

Mead’s 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 win over the Tigers made the Panthers the district champions, but LC became the second team to take a game from the Panthers this season – and felt like it could have taken another.

Shadle Park defeated Gonzaga Prep in four games for the third seed into the Eastern Regional Tournament, held next weekend at Kennewick High. Sara Lewis had a career-high 45 assists for the Highlanders.

University eliminated G-Prep and picked up the fourth seed to regionals in a three-game sweep.

Mead ) could appreciate being challenged by the Tigers, who led the second game 20-14 before Mead rallied for a 2-0 lead. Then LC won the third game, and tied the Panthers at 17 in the fourth game before being finished off.

“It feels really good to be pushed because we know that big matches are coming up at regionals,” Mead senior middle hitter Erin Norris said. “It’s just going to be tough for the rest of the year, so it’s good to be pushed now so we’re ready for it.”

After a relatively easy win by Mead in the first game, LC battled back in the second game with a pair of subs, junior Erica Ehlo and freshman outside hitter Oceana Bush, providing a spark for the Tigers.

The Tigers led 20-14 late, but two kills and an ace by senior outside hitter Cassie Dobson brought Mead within one at 22-21, then three straight hitting errors gave the Panthers the lead.

Mead’s Mara Ryan punctuated the second-game win with a big kill from the left side.

Janae Forney, LC’s starter in the middle, left the game during Mead’s run with a twisted ankle, and the Tigers’ youth showed a little. Only five of the LC’s 12 players are seniors.

“It’s just that last little hurdle,” LC head coach Julie Yearout said. “(Mead’s) always been there and there’s a lot to that mental game where they know they can pull it out.”

LC brought a little mental toughness to the table in the third game, as the Tigers rallied from down 22-19 to take a game from Mead. The only other team to do so was Eisenhower of Yakima in the Crossover Classic.

A kill and a block from junior Hannah Zimmerman, coupled with sophomore Laurie Yearout’s block and an error by Mead put the Tigers ahead 23-22.

After LC gave back a point, Ivy Bush’s kill and a block from Ehlo gave LC the game.

The fourth game was even at 17 before a three-point Panthers run, including two kills by setter Amy Herron, gave Mead a little breathing room.

Two kills and a block by Norris kept the Panthers on top, winning it 25-20.

Next weekend, the Eastern Regional gets three teams to state, and two of those would appear to be earmarked for Mead and Eisenhower, so the Tigers have a little work to do.

“I feel good about next weekend. I thought our girls played great,” Yearout said. “We’re right where we need to be. (Mead’s) a good team and you have to play almost close to perfection to beat them, and we were close.”

In the District 8 3A tournament, North Central (7-7) defeated East Valley (5-10) in four games to sew up the GSL’s top spot into next week’s regional with the Mid-Valley at Selah. Kendall Mays had 11 kills and 11 blocks for NC.

The Indians only need one win to earn their first state appearance since the 1995 AAA title team.

EV rebounded to beat West Valley (4-11) in four games. The Knights are the second seed into regionals, and the Eagles third.