Panthers Terrific Season Come To An End

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Oct 26, 2012

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Justice Janke and her South Ridge volleyball teammates did their best to extend a magical season, but it wasn’t in the cards for the Panthers, who fell 3-1 to Northeast Range in the Section 7A quarterfinals in Eveleth on Friday night.

For her part, Janke pounded down 15-kills and added 19-digs, but it wasn’t enough for the youthful Panthers who fell by scores of; 25-21, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-23 to end their season with an 18-5 overall record.

As has been all season, the Panthers fought tough all the way to the end, but they just could never quite get over the hump against the Nighthawks, who improved to 16-10 on the season.

Mikayla Olesiak finished with 12 digs and four ace serves to go along with an incredible 29-29 100% serving for the Panthers. The team concept has been a part of the Panthers all season, and it was the same way on Friday night. Not only did Olesiak and Janke have solid nights, but they also got big nights from Callie Thomason, Krystal Karppinen, Mallory Thibault and Lindsey Janke. Thomason had 27-set assists and two ace serves, Karppinen finished with seven kills, 18 digs and three blocks, Thibault added five kills, nine digs and a pair of blocks and Lindsey Janke recorded six digs and two ace serves.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com