The Lady Panthers are surprising everyone. Nevermind they have only 12 girls on the team and were picked in the preseason to finish next to last in the 13-team Okaw Valley Conference, they have started off with a bang, compiling an 8-3 record to start the year.
And you should head to Lovington's oversized gym sometime to check them out, because they are A LOT of fun to watch. These girls are having more fun than any of the teams I have had to watch, and probably because there isn't as much pressure on them - they weren't supposed to win.
I was sitting beside Carol Smith, the recently removed long-tenured coach of the volleyball team, the other day, and she couldn't help but yell at the girls, too. And she has a GREAT volleyball yell. Anyways, she said they had a very good coach in Doggett, a former player of Smith's on Lovington's teams, 1998-2002, and I couldn't agree more. Amanda is a rough and tough coach who knows what her girls can do and what they are capable of, and she doesn't settle for any less. There is no doubt that her tenacity and demand of excellence is what has gotten this team to overachieve this season.
But, you can't count out the Lady Panthers. Ruthie Wheelock is one of the best players in the area. At 6'3, she is an intimidating presence as she stands at the net and peers down at the opposing team. Ashton Suforna, the 5'10 surprise force also at the net, is showing that she has some real skill, too, as she continually posts blocks at the position and is getting her spike down.
I could definitely see this team making some damage in the postseason. They have already lost to Sullivan once, though not by too much, though people may be skeptical about a regional victory, stranger things have happened.
Watch for Lovington's game against Arcola next week, as that will be the start playing established teams within the conference. Also watch for upcoming tough conference games against Bement (Oct. 14), Tri County (Oct. 21), and Cerro Gordo (Oct. 23).
The Lovington Lady Panthers have already doubled their win total from last season (4), so let's just see how much further they can take this.
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