Grace experience shows in three set win

The first point of the 2008 volleyball season was scored by the York College Panthers Tuesday night, as Grace University helped the Panthers to end a one year hiatus from the sport.
The Panthers hung tough in game one only trailing 18-15 late, but the Royals had just too much fire power as they swept the YC Women by final scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 25-15.
First year head coach Charla Farrell said she liked what she saw from her team, despite the sweep by Grace.
“I think we learned a lot from this game tonight,” said Farrell. “We now see what we need to do to become a better team, and this game will go along way in helping us to get better. It was fun, the girls played hard and I really feel that we have a lot of potential out on the floor.”
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in game one as Cami Towell scored the second point on a tip kill.
Grace University started to work the Panthers from the middle of the floor, and did a good job moving the ball from side to side to keep the Panther block off kilter.
The Panthers fell behind in game one 18-1, prompting a time out from coach Farrell.
Following the T.O. York College battled to trim the margin to 18-15, as Bevin Carroll got the Panthers back in the set with two tip kills and an ace block.
But Grace then put the first game on ice with five aces in the next seven points, three coming off the jump serve of Mary Harder.
In the next two games the Panthers hurt their chances by falling behind 6-1 and 7-2 and from that point could never make up the deficit.
In set two the Royals middle attack was confusing the York defense. “We were out of position on a few of their attacks and we just didn’t adjust to well,” said Farrell. “Overall I was pleased with the match tonight. We have a lot of improving to do, but this team has the potential.”
The York College Women will take part in the St. Mary’s Tournament Sept. 5-6 in Omaha. “We will get to play four games this weekend and that will be good for us,” Farrell stated.