Energetic start fizzled as Panthers proved too much for the Knights

10/26/2023

Franklin's Jada Reavis got set as Saegertown launched the first serve of the night in her direction at Conneaut Area High School Thursday. The Knight's fresh off their first playoff win in forever, an upset win over Fort LeBoeuf Tuesday, were ready to face the number two seed Panthers.

Reavis' pass was perfect to Estella Adams who saw Abby Boland across court with anticipation and blood in her eyes. Her set was spot on and Boland drilled the ball with floorboard crushing speed back over the net for the first point of the game.

All Franklin players on the court, the ones on the bench and the Knight's fans who made the trek up north to Linesville, erupted.

The Lady Knights came to play.

This Knight's squad just four years ago struggled to win just one match. Last year they squeaked into the playoffs to be eliminated right away. This year they earned a playoff spot, won a playoff match and came out swinging against a perennial powerhouse from Crawford County.

They battled back and forth for the first 26 points and the Knights led 14-12 with solid play all around.

A couple of times Adams and star hitter Katie Boal seemed so in sync that nothing could stop them.

One set by Adams, when the score was 8-8 resulted in a thunderous spike that Boal hit almost as soon as it left Adams' hands.

Everything seemed to be going right for the Knights, but Saegertown did keep counter punching and eventually wore the Knights down.

Finally the momentum shifted as Saegertown went up 18-14 and never really looked back after that. They took the first set 25-19.

All night Saegertown seemed to have people in the right place at the right time and Franklin did not. At times, the Knights seemed out of sorts.

Saegertown was more consistent and relentless winning the second and third sets in dominating fashion 25-9 and 25-11.

The match eliminated the Knights, ending their season.