Panther volleyball usurped at home

MT. PLEASANT — Things were looking good at the start for Mt. Pleasant volleyball Tuesday night against Fort Madison.

The Panthers (5-19) came back from an early deficit to take set one 25-22. That would be the norm of the night, but Fort Madison (2-12) would come out on the other end in the next three, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, to take a 3-1 Southeast Conference victory.

Mt. Pleasant led 4-2 early in the first set, but Fort Madison answered with seven straight to take command of the set 9-4.

The Panthers didn’t let up though as they slowly close the gap, eventually tying the game at 19-19.

Both squads traded blows in the final moments of the set. After trading the lead twice and after Fort Madison took a 21-20 lead, Mt. Pleasant scored four straight to make it 24-21.

The Bloodhounds would cut it to two, but Emma Starr put the finishing touches on the set for the Panthers.

Set two was nearly identical to the first.

Mt. Pleasant once again found themselves down 9-4, but did not wavier.

After a service error, which made it 10-5, Mt. Pleasant scored four in a row to make it a one point game at 10-9.

Fort Madison largest lead the rest of the set would be three at 13-10. Two or one point would be all that separated the two teams up until the match point.

The Panthers took the lead at 14-13 and wouldn’t give it back until the matches waning moments.

Alex Scott gave the Panthers a two point advantage at 20-18, but Fort Madison scored three straight to take back the lead, 21-20.

After a Panther miss hit, an Andrea Lopreato kill would bring the game back even at 22-22, but the Bloodhounds scored three straight to tie the match at 1-1.

In set three, Mt. Pleasant had a great shot to take back the match lead.

Three points is all that would separate the two squads up until the Panthers built up a 20-15 lead.

Fort Madison stayed within striking distance though, as they cut it down to one at 21-20.

Mt. Pleasant got some breathing room at 23-20, but after a Bloodhound kill, a double hit and miss hit into the net, it was all knotted up at 23-23.

On the next serve, the Bloodhounds got match point, 24-23, but Scott put one down to tie it.

Another miss hit gave Fort Madison another match point, 25-24, and the Bloodhounds capitalized for the win.

In set four, Fort Madison jumped out to a 5-1 advantage. The Panthers would never lead.

Mt. Pleasant was able to bounce back, making it 5-5, but Fort Madison put together a four point run to make it 9-5.

The Panthers were able to tie it at 14 and 15. That’s as close as they would come. They cut it to one late at 19-18, but the Bloodhounds scored four straight putting them up 23-18.

Mt. Pleasant got to 21, but it was too late.

With the loss, the Panthers drop to 2-2 in the Southeast Conference. Mt. Pleasant still sits in third and has the ability to do some damage next week.

Next up on the Panther schedule is the Southeast Conference Volleyball Tournament’s opening round on Tuesday, Oct. 4.