Lady Panthers Finish Third at Lady Panther Invitational

Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:59 AM

Prairie View-The Prairie View A&M University Volleyball team finished a deceiving 1-2 this weekend at The Lady Panther Invitational.

Prairie View A&M placed third overall in the tournament. University of South Alabama went 3-0 winning the tournament at the William J Nicks gymnasium.
 
After opening the tournament defeating University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff behind Cheri Lindsay's 14 kills, Prairie View went into the next match against Nicholls State Saturday morning prepared for a hard fought match to come.
 
Prairie View sent an early message by taking the first game away from the Lady Colonels, closing it on a 9-1 run. The Lady Panthers continued their run into set two, battling NSU to an 11-11 tie before the Lady Colonels slowly pulled away and held on for a tough 25-21 win. Though Nicholls State ensured the third set in a convincing 25-11 showing, the Lady Panthers showed heart throughout the whole match, battling back from an early 12-3 hole in the fourth set to cut the lead down to four on numerous occasions before losing the set 25-19. Senior Shaun Williams led the Lady Panthers with 10 kills, sophomore libero Sarah Garcia had a team high 8 digs while Lindsay added 3 kills and 7 digs.
 
In the tournament finale, Prairie View took on South Alabama despite falling in three straight games; the Lady Panthers pushed the Lady Jaguars in each game before losing 25-20, 25-23, and 25-20.
"A loss is a loss, no moral victories," said Prairie View head coach Alicia Pete. "When we get up we just need to learn how to finish."
Lindsay came up big again with 13 kills and 7 digs while Fondel added 28 assists to go along with 4 kills and 10 digs.

"It was frustrating to lose those games like that but all we have to do is focus and concentrate more when we're ahead," said junior setter Erin Fondel.
 
Erin Fondel had another great performance throughout the tournament and was honored with All-Tournament Team accolades for the second time this season. Fondel also recorded All-Tournament award at the TSU tournament, she has been a great leader for the Lady Panthers throughout the whole year leading the team in assists this season.
 
The Lady Panthers continue their season and are set to host Sam Houston State University on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 at 7pm.