Panther volleyball sweeps WACO

WAYLAND ? The Pekin volleyball team opened conference play with a 25-20, 25-17, 25-17 victory over WACO on Thursday.

?We hit and served aggressively and took care of the ball offensively, which has been a weakness in the past,? said Pekin head coach Ashley Bartels. ?The girls came together as a team ... and this is what will help us become successful.?

Jessica Horras had a team-leading six kills, while Maranda Baker, Madelyn Baker and Jacinta Cooley contributed with four kills each.Senior setter Leslie Stone had 15 assists and five aces. Cheyann Lankford also served five aces.

Defensively, Maranda Baker came up with 11 digs, and Lankford and Madelyn Baker totaled eight apiece. Stone, Cooley and Lankford all put down one block.

The Panthers (4-7, 1-0 SEISC north) have a break from conference play with a matchup at Sigourney Tuesday. The Panthers then head to Lone Tree on Thursday.