By Rob Whitmire

The Panthers volleyball team dropped a non-conference match Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the SPASH Fieldhouse, losing 3-1 to Eau Claire Memorial out of the Big Rivers Conference.

Memorial jumped out to a 12-5 lead in set one before SPASH battled back to close the gap to 13-16. SPASH could get no closer with Eau Claire outscoring the Panthers 9-6 on their way to a 25-19 final.

SPASH roared back in game two after falling behind 1-0, then putting together an 11-1 run to lead 11-2. The Panthers were in control of the net and court the entire set coming away with a 25-15 win.

Scoring runs of 9-3 and 12-5 gave the Old Abes set three 25-15. SPASH opened set for down 6-3 before going off nine straight off the service of Kayla Lass to knot the score at 12-12. Memorial outscored the Panthers 13-7 for the 25-19 win.

Ally Miklesh led posted 33 sets for the Panthers. Brittany Flugaur had 17 Digs and Madeleine Burch totaled 18 Kills, 1 solo Block, and 1 Block Assist on the night.

SPASH returns to the court Thursday, Sept. 15, hosting Wausau East at 7:00 PM, then travels to Marshfield for the Wisconsin Valley Conference meet on Saturday, with play beginning at 9:00 AM at the Marshfield High School Fieldhouse.