Box Score The #18 Highland volleyball team headed south to Chanute, KS to take on the #19 Neosho Panthers in yet another big conference match-up. The Scotties were eager off a 3-1 weekend in Iowa and the Panthers were coming off a four game win streak. A tough first set took the game past regulation points and the Scotties would come out victorious 28-26 but the Panthers took back control of their home court to take the next three to win 1-3 (28-26, 12-25, 22-25, 22-25).
Highland came out hot in the first set gaining momentum early with a couple kills by Zealia Kleitz and Carrie Fisher. A back and forth battle was finally settled with a 28-26 win with a solo block by Emma Cohalla. The team put down 19 kills in the first set and picked up 28 digs led by Kirsten Johnson and Leslie Polanco.
The second set started on a positive note with a kill by right side Koie Orozco and middle Kleitz off of Katie Pearson's 18th assist of the match. A handful of small but crucial errors by the Scotties helped Neosho go ahead 19-9 forcing a Scottie timeout. The gap could not get closed by Highland and Neosho took the second set 12-25.
The third set was out of rhythm on the Scottie's side up until the first time out as they found themselves down 7-12. As expected, Highland did not let up working their way back up to 14-15 with their profound defense. A kill by Orozco kept the game tight at 18-19 but the momentum turned and the Panthers won 22-25.
With the Scotties finding themselves down 1-2 against the Panthers they brought the power in the fourth set. Highland was down 7-10 early but went on a four point run to lead 11-10 forcing a Neosho timeout. The tables turned quick after a few errors and the Panthers regained the lead 11-13. The Scotties could not take back control of the game and lost the fourth set 22-25.
Polanco led the Scotties all around on the loss with 18 kills, 15 digs, one solo block and one assist. Johnson had her best game of the her career coming up with 31 digs and two assists. Orozco stepped up to help lead with 20 digs, a personal best, and nine kills. Kleitz put down nine kills, Carrie Fisher contributed 18 kills, a career best, and Emma Cohalla had eight kills and setter Katie Pearson was reliable again with 43 assists.
The Scotties are now 23-7 on the year and 5-2 in conference play. They play in their seventh tournament of the season at the Reiver Festival Tournament on Friday and Saturday against Colby Community College, Iowa Western Community College, Monroe College, and Independence Community College.
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