Demons fall to Panthers at home

A late surge nearly switched the momentum around in Washington on Tuesday night.

The Mt. Pleasant volleyball team had taken set victories in Games 1 and 2, winning 25-14, 25-15 on strong serving, but while on the cusp of putting away the Demons in the third game, the Panthers needed a little extra to put the match away.

Washington fought back with a late surge, but the Panthers withstood the extra energy, claiming a 25-22 third-game victory, claiming the conference victory.

?Coming into the game we had a few girls get hurt this week, so that affected us,? Washington volleyball head coach Lexa Mahr said. ?We had a lot of energy and were ready to play. (Mt. Pleasant) served aggressively right off the bat and we weren?t ready for it. We?ll be working on that. As we play, we get better each set.?

Mahr said the team showed improvement in the contest, and she was impressed with the play of some of the girls finding new positions on the squad.

?We?ve transitioned Liv (Postl) from playing outside to the middle and she?s done a great job of that,? Mahr said. ?She?s getting the feel for it, and I?m proud of the way she?s transitioning. Jessie Buchholz has also transitioned from the middle to the outside, and her defense is outstanding. It?s just a bonus that she gets to hit too.?

?Megan Mitchell is a rock star,? Mahr added. ?She comes ready to work hard. She knows she?s short, but she doesn?t show it. She?ll go up against the tallest player on the other team with no fear.?

The Demons fell to 0-2 in conference play and 0-9 overall on the season with the loss, with the path not getting easier on Thursday, when Washington travels to face off against Fort Madison, who is ranked No. 11 in the latest Class 4A poll.

First serve in Fort Madison is scheduled for 7 p.m.