Masuk Free Press

On Tuesday night, 9.8, the Panthers kicked off their season, at home, against one of their biggest rivals, Joel Barlow, and they did not disappoint. With a relentless five sets of back and forth play between the two teams, Masuk prevailed and came out on top with a final score of 3-2 sets winning against them for the first time in seven years. After this monumental win, the team hopes to carry this momentum and determination into the rest of their season and beyond. 

Seeing how the team played on Tuesday night, it is safe to say that all their work in preseason practices and scrimmages have definitely paid off. These girls have been working tirelessly since the beginning of the season knowing that they were facing their toughest game first and it showed.

“I think this is the most confident I’ve been in the team since I’ve been at Masuk. I think the team is full of girls that really want to be there and that are ready to work,” said senior captain Grace Morrow, “definitely having our toughest game of the season is going to be rough, but I feel like we’re ready and I feel like we’re as ready as we’re ever going to be.” 

Across the whole game, their confidence was visible among the whole squad. After Barlow’s team brought their A-game in the first set winning it 25-19, the Panthers did not let that get them down and came into the next 4 sets re-energized and more determined than ever. It was obvious to everyone watching in the stands that this team had some special chemistry between every player. The seniors especially were to connect left and right with each other. Senior captain Mia Tyler, with 33 assists, was able to connect with fellow player and captain Addison Scott helping give her a total of 15 kills throughout all 5 sets. Tyler was also able to connect with players like Morrow and senior Jaqueline Silkman leading to multiple key kills and blocks leading to their eventual win. 

“I think us four seniors definitely have a great bond on and off the court, and we’ve been playing with each other all four years of high school,” said Morrow, “ it definitely shows how used to playing together we are.” 

With this victory against Joel Barlow under their belt, the team has set a tone for the rest of the season that your Masuk Panthers are here and they are bringing everything that they have. The Panthers have their next game Monday 9.14, and the team is prepared to bring the same level of play and energy to the remainder of the season.