Lady Panthers rally to remain in state hunt

By Julie Storing
UCA sportswriting

Greenbrier's Lady Panthers rallied to win a road match at Central Arkansas Christian on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive for a berth to the Class 5A State Tournament.

The Lady Panthers defeated CAC in a four-game 5A-West conference match, 18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-18. They improved their record to 6-7 in conference and 15-5 overall.

“I was very proud of the girls for their hard work tonight and willingness to not give up,” Greenbrier coach Cindy Hartman said. “They did a super job coming back when they got down after Game 1 and taking Game 2, 3 and 4.”

Junior Kayla Waters delivered 16 kills and five blocks for Greenbrier. Senior Janessa Richards completed nine kills, and senior Kalea Hogg offered eight kills. Waters, Hogg, senior Summer Richard and junior Mackenzie Mallett all served 100 percent.

“Hopefully, this win will give us the momentum we need in order to beat Alma Thursday night,” Hartman said. “If we beat Alma Thursday night, then we will have earned the fourth-place seed in the state tournament.”

Greenbrier is tied with CAC for fourth place in the conference. If the Lady Panthers loses to Alma on Thursday, they will have to depend on Harrison to beat CAC on Thursday night to send them to the playoffs.

Alma previously defeated Greenbrier in a close four-game match in September, 25-27, 23-25, 20-25, 21-25.

The Lady Panthers will face the Alma Lady Panthers and determine if they're going to the state playoffs on Thursday at the Panther Pavilion.