The Centralia Panthers were tested with two games that went three sets last night, in which they had to play from behind in many situations. However, the Lady Panthers found a way to achieve success in all three games, going 3-0 in pool play. 

The Panthers started the day at 3:15 PM, taking on Greeley County for the least contentious of the three games they won. Centralia won in a 2-0 sweep with set wins of 25-20 and 25-21. During the second set, however, against the Jack Rabbits, the Panthers were down 11-17 but managed to score the last 14 of 18 points to put it away. 

Centralia wouldn’t see the court again until just 5:30 PM, where they would then take on St. Francis. The Panthers won set one 25-16 but struggled in set two, falling 21-25. Centralia got things back on track with a 25-16 set three-win.

The last game of the night, which was supposed to be played at 8:30, didn’t get on the way onto until roughly 9:35 PM. Centralia and the #1 seeded Flint Hills Mustangs were 2-0 in pool play coming into the final game, both having been guaranteed tomorrow. Both teams were still having to compete for a chance to play Clifton Clyde tomorrow, the loser to player Little River. In the most exciting match of the night, Centralia played mostly from behind and came back to win. The Mustangs won set 25-21 over the Lady Panthers but would drop set two 12-25 against Centralia. Flint Hills, in set three, had a 12-5 lead at one point, but it quickly vanished for the Mustangs. It was swiftly tied 16-16 before Centralia would claim 9 out of the last 12 points to win the final set 25-19.

With all of the success today from the Panthers, it stacked up the stat sheet as well. Malayna Becker had 13 kills and five blocks for Centralia, and Hayden Kramer finished the night with 26 total kills. Tava Gibbs totaled over 13 kills and five blocks to help contribute to the Panthers. Isabel Haverkamp had seven kills and two blocks as well to assist her team. Keelyn Rempe finished with a team-leading four aces on the stat sheet. A huge night was also appreciated by Oen Deters with how well she played the back row for Centralia (STATS NOT APPROXIMATE). 

Centralia will play today at 1:00 PM in the semi-finals against Clifton-Clyde. Flint Hills will now take on a dangerous Little River team. 

Centralia will contend for their 16th state title in program history today as well. Coverage will be on 92.1 KMZA for the Centralia games.