Lady Panthers sweep their way to SCA championship

In winning their final two regular season South Central Association (SCA) Conference games against Willow Springs and Salem last week, the Mountain Grove Lady Panthers’ volleyball team has swept their way to a conference championship.
They first took on a 23-win Willow Springs program that featured some tall players at the net.
Mountain Grove won the first two sets, 25-17 and 25-20, before falling in set three, 26-24.
The Lady Panthers then cruised in. the fourth set, 25-15.
Mountain Grove’s win came on Senior Night as seniors Raylee Stenzel, Erecka Penner, Landry Golden and Makenna McGowan were recognized.
Sophomore Aubrie Gerla was also presented a ball as she was recognized for reaching the 1,000 career assists milestone.
Against Salem, Mountain Grove easily dispatched of the Lady Tigers in the first set, 25-8. They followed with a 26-24 win in set two and a 25-15 win in the final set.
“I’m so grateful for a group that works so hard on a daily basis and takes great pride in our goals that we have set out to achieve,” said Mountain Grove head coach Ashley Kell. “These kids are so deserving and I’m honored to be their coach.”
They did see a 14-match winning streak come to an end on Oct. 14 when they fell at Clever, 3-1.
They won the third set, 25-23, but dropped the other three sets, 25-18.
Mountain Grove is now 25-3-1 and are currently in the Class 3, District 11 Tournament as the No. 1 seed.
They will play on Thursday, Oct. 24 against the winner of Houston and Forsyth at 5 p.m. in Houston.
A win gives them a spot in the district finals against either No. 2 Hollister, No. 3 Willow Springs or No. 6 Ava.