Panthers begin GSAC play with road win
Sept. 20, 2006

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- LaGrange College opened its 2006 GSAC schedule with a 3-1 win over Huntingdon College at the Cloverdale Gym on Wednesday. The Panthers upped their season record to 3-8 with the victory.

The Panthers took the first game 30-27, lost the second 30-21 and took a marathon 40-38 win in the pivotal third game. The Panthers closed out the match with a 30-27 win in the fourth and final game.

Niki Metcalf had a team-high 13 kills and tied for team honors with 20 digs. Kiley Kirkpatrick had 11 kills and four total blocks. Megan Moore came within two kills of her second triple-double of the season. Moore had eight kills, 20 assists and 14 digs. Grace Burgess had 20 digs, while Sara Newland added 18 more digs.

The Panthers took an early 10-5 lead in the first game. Huntingdon came back to take the lead on four occasions, the last at 26-25. Kirkpatrick scored off a block to put the Panthers ahead to stay, 27-26. The Panthers closed out the game with a 5-0 run for the 30-27 final.

In the second game, the Panthers scored the first point but never led again. The Lady Hawks led by as many as 11 points before winning 30-21.

The Panthers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the third game. They continued to build on the lead into the game. Lisa Burgee's kill put the Panthers up 24-15. Huntingdon rallied and overtook the Panthers. The Lady Hawks' first lead of the game put them up 29-28.

The Panthers served for the win seven times in the game, while the Lady Hawks were serving for the win four times. The Panthers survived two straight game points to extend the game.

Moore tied the game for the last time at 38 with a kill. Sara Newland's return was misplayed to put the Panthers up for good 39-38. Metcalf clinched the win with a kill for the 40-38 final margin.

Like the third game, the Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the fourth game. They led 5-1 and eventually 20-12. The Lady Hawks chipped away at the lead. They got as close as two points twice, the last 29-27. Heather Tidwell sealed the match with a cross court kill for the final 30-27 score.

The Panthers play at Spelman in a GSAC match on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.