More News

All year, the Paint Branch girls volleyball team has been seeking consistency.

On Thursday evening the fifth seed and host Panthers were on point in a 25-13, 25-22, 25-17 sweep of No. 12 Northwest in the first round of the Class 4A West Region playoffs.

Paint Branch set the tone early in each set, building leads of 6-0, 7-1 and 5-1, respectively.

"I'm pretty satisfied. I mean, we could have played a little better, but there is always room for improvement," said Panthers senior setter Elaina Straub, who guided the offense with 27 assists and 5 aces. "It's one step at a time [in playoffs], but definitely looking forward to what's lying ahead."

Added head coach Nicole Shields: "They have realized what they need to do to win. They keep their energy up and have been consistent [the second half of the year]."

Northwest's best chance to steal a set came in the second. The Jaguars cut the deficit to two, 12-10, but a service error by Rachel Cox-Rosen halted their momentum. The Panthers responded by scoring six of the next seven points to regain control.

The Jaguars closed within two again, 23-21, but Paint Branch senior outside hitter Sammy Fean ended any thoughts of a comeback with a kill. Moments later, a service error by Jaguars sophomore Rachel Townsend ended the set.

Senior Kate McGrew and freshman Teynia Shepherd paced the Panthers attack with eight kills apiece while senior Fean (six kills) and Becca Grady (five kills, four blocks) also contributed.

The Panthers will face the winner of the No. 13 Sherwood-No. 4 Wootton match on Monday. They forced the Patriots to five sets on Oct. 1 and defeated Sherwood in four Oct. 9.

Meanwhile, the young Jags wrapped up an 8-7 campaign. Despite losing senior co-captain Jessica Warner and her 140 kills, first-year head coach Stephanie Withers will return all but three players in 2010. Townsend should emerge as their main threat.