Panthers Stay Hot With Win Over Floodwood

Sept 24, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The South Ridge Panthers girls volleyball team took home the consolation championship of the Chisholm tournament over the weekend. The Panthers won two of the three matches they played and improved to 6-3 on the season.

The Panthers opened up play in the Chisholm tournament with a two game loss to the Cherry Tigers. The Tigers defeated the Panthers in two close battles, 25-21 and 25-19. Justice Janke finished with 12 kills and 6 digs in the loss.

The Panthers rebounded in the second game of the tournament as they swept Nashwauk-Keewatin 25-12 and 25-16. Callie Thomason finished with 13 set assists in the victory, while Janke again had an outstanding match with 8 kills, 5 digs, and 3 blocks. Mikayla Olesiak added 4 kills, 6 digs, and she had 5 ace serves.

In the Consolation Championship match they swept Mesabi East by scores of 25-17 and 25-15. Emma Autio was perfect serving for the Panthers in the victory. Thomason finished with 12 set assists in the victory and it was Krystal Karppinen who added 4 kills and had 4 ace serves in the victory.

The Panthers continued on with their winning ways Monday night as they swept the Floodwood Polar Bears 25-21, 25-17, and 26-24 as they move to 7-3 on the season. Janke again had a big night for the Panthers who finished with 12 kills and 11 digs.

Mikayla Olesiak finished with 8 kills, 12 digs and had 3 ace serves, Callie Thomason had another nice night with 25 set assists and she added 4 ace serves. Krystal Karppinen added 8 kills and 10 digs and Lindsey Janke finished with 13 digs.

The Panthers will be back in action again Tuesday night when they will take on the Bigfork Huskies at Bigfork High School.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com