The Fillies competed in the Rose City Classic Invitational Tournament this weekend at Tyler Junior College. Panola played Temple & NCTC on Friday and Frank Phillips & #7 Polk State on Saturday. On Friday, Panola swept Temple in the season opener with a slow start, only beating Temple by two points. With the leadership of sophomore outside hitter Mikayla Ware and freshman outside hitter Mylena Testoni, who added 12 kills and two aces respectively a piece, the Fillies were able to take the last two sets with ease winning 26-24, 25-15, 25-12. Freshman setter Maria Idjilov dished out 31 assists with help from sophomore libero Hannah Floyd who contributed 12 digs.

Staying hot on Friday, Panola beat NCTC in three straight sets. The first set was another nail biter with the Fillies winning by only two points. By spreading their offense and serving aggressive, they were able to finish the Lions 25-23, 25-21, 25-7. Testoni led Panola with 12 kills, four aces, three digs and one block. Idjilov helped the Fillies with 36 assists while freshman middle blocker Ashton Brown chipped in six kills and Floyd added 11 digs. 

 

Saturday, the Fillies continued the winning streak by sweeping Frank Phillips (25-15, 25-17, 25-21). This match was Panola’s best defensive match of the tournament with a team total of 56 digs and eight blocks. Ware led the team with 11 kills offensively, two aces and 11 digs. Sophomore outside hitter McKenzie Dimery and freshman right side hitter Nyah Walker came in and both contributed eight kills a piece. Idjilov chipped in 39 assists along with four kills and two aces.

 

The #7 Polk State Eagles gave Panola their first loss of the season but not without a fight. It was a close four set match with the Eagles outlasting the Fillies 23-25, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25. Panola could have given up after losing the first two sets but the Fillies fought back and pulled away early to take set three before losing the match in set four. The Fillies had a great match defensively with a total of 11 blocks. Ware chipped in 14 kills and 17 digs while Testoni added 14 kills and five block assists. The Fillies also had some major contributions from a few of their freshmen players. Erin Perez stepped in as libero, with a team high 23 digs and defensive specialist Nina Hauff, added 13 digs while Walker added eight kills and two blocks respectively.

The Fillies travel to Temple on Tuesday, September 3rd to face Temple College at 6:00 PM. Thanks for your support and GO FILLIES!