Panthers beat Plymouth North...Earn tournament berth

For the first time in as long as anyone can remember the Whitman-Hanson Panthers volleyball team is heading to the tournament! The Panthers earned a playoff berth by defeating Plymouth North 3-0 at home. The game scores were 25-14, 25-18 and 25-20. The Panthers came into the game ready to earn their playoff berth and from the start it was clear that they were ready to play. The Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the first set and never really looked back in the whole match. The Panthers were able to have success tonight because their passing was on target allowing their offense to go to work. Sophia Raiche was strong in the back row with great defense that allowed Halle Julian to earn several key kills and a strong block to put the first set away. In the second set the Panthers continued to push the Plymouth North defense and serve receive to their limits with solid hitting and serving. Plymouth North jumped out to an early lead but the Panthers quickly regained control and finished the set with the victory. In the third and deciding set the Panthers and Plymouth North played back and forth for a while but the Panthers were able to limit their mistakes and forced Plymouth North to commit several errors in their defense. Allie Spyropoulos led the team in the third set with strong serving and setting that allowed the team to get the victory. Lily Spicer helped the Panthers get to game point with a solid kill. Playing well for the Panthers tonight were Sophie O'Brien with 8 kills, Chiara Cassiano with 8 kills and Halle Julian with 4 blocks. Whitman-Hanson moves to 10-4 on the season and heads to Silver-Lake on Friday night.