No. 13 Ft. Madison too much for Panthers

It was tough sledding on Tuesday night for Mt. Pleasant, but that was expected as the Panthers hosted a Bloodhound squad that hasn't lost even one set in a conference game this season.

The Panthers fell in three sets, falling 25-15, 25-7 and 25-14 to the heavily favored Hounds.

The Bloodhounds took their first lead at 3-2 in the opening set, and never looked back despite a bit of contention from Mt. Pleasant.

The Panthers stayed close through the first 20 points, using two kills by Hannah Hess and one each by Sadie Carrasco and Lexie Magnani to stick within four, at 11-7, but Ft. Madison scored the next four in a row to make it 15-7.

A kill by Avery Sutter and an ace from Lyndi Vantiger cut the lead back to six, at 15-9, but Ft. Madison scored the next five for a 20-9 lead.

Maggie Cristoforo and Lexie Magnani picked up their first kills of the night, and Hess followed to cut the lead back to single digits.

Mt. Pleasant had the lead down to seven after a couple of big blocks. Avery Sutter helped build the wall in both, getting help from Hess on the first and Anni Liechty on the second, which cut it to 22-15. The Hounds, however, scored the next three points and took set one 25-15.

Set two wasn't pretty for Mt. Pleasant, as Ft. Madison swung away throughout the game en route to a blowout victory. A block by Sutter was the only real brightspot in a 25-7 loss.

Mt. Pleasant didn't roll over in the third set, however. Sutter helped the Panthers stick in it early with a copule of kills, and Ft. Madison mistakes made it exciting early. The Panthers even held a two-point lead, at 9-7, after a kill by Carrasco.

Unfortunately for Mt. Pleasant, the Bloodhounds caught fire midway through the match. The final tie was at 13-13, and the Bloodhounds went on a 12-1 run to end it, taking the third game 25-14.

After the game, Panther head coach David Streeter said he was happy to see his team show some fight in the final set.

'I thought I saw steps forward tonight,” Streeter said. 'I'm not worried about our opponent. I'm more worried about ourselves right now, doing what we need to do. We're not quite there yet. Once we start focusing more on ourselves, we'll be a lot better.”

Hess led the squad in kills. Sutter led in blocks. Digs were spread between April Simon and Lyndi Vantiger, and Liechty, who is coming off of a softball injury, led the squad in assists.