PDHS Panthers get much needed win in senior girls volleyball action

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There was one certainty to follow the senior girls volleyball game at Paris District High School featuring the host Panthers against the visiting Pauline Johnson Collegiate Thunderbirds on Tuesday – one team would be winless no more.

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In the end, it was the Panthers (1-4) who came away with a 25-14, 12-15, 25-15 and 25-8 Athletic Association of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk win against the Thunderbirds (0-4).

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“We needed it badly to turn the season around,” said PDHS coach Rich dela Rosa.

“Now that we have some players coming in and filling a void with the final puzzle pieces, I think we’ll be good.”

Paris started the season off extremely slowly with 3-0 losses to Brantford Collegiate Institute and St. John’s College. The Panthers were then edged 3-2 by Assumption College.

For dela Rosa, he’s seen a lot of good things from his team but there have also been moments where he’s scratched his head. The coach feels he isn’t alone.

“I think that’s the whole league, to be honest,” he said while talking about his team’s up-and-down play.

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“I think a lot of us coaches are trying to figure out where players mesh or jell and find specific spots for them. Everyone has good athletes. It’s just trying to find where to put the puzzle pieces.”

There’s little doubt that PDHS has the athletes on its roster to do some damage in the playoffs. With a win under their belts, and the first half of the season almost complete, dela Rosa is looking forward to what the team can do going forward.

“The second half we should be better,” he said.

“Communication should be key, buying into the program and believing in the person beside you.”

Of course the Panthers have their eyes on an AABHN championship. However, as a AA school, a Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools berth at that level is also on the radar.

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Dela Rosa is just happy to give the players different opportunities.

“Any experience moving out of our league, even if it’s at tournaments, is a bonus for our team,” he said of a group he’s really enjoyed working with.

“They’re unbelievable. It’s a very good group of girls.”

Things got off to a great start in the opening set of the best-of-five match for the Panthers on Tuesday. With Nora Kovacs and Leila Rutherford playing well at the net, and Peyton Andree providing solid serving, the home team jumped ahead 16-8 on its way to a 1-0 lead.

Lilly Marckesano and Dakota Kehl then helped serve Pauline Johnson into a 5-2 second-set advantage before the setting and serving of Paris’ Kayla Padusenko turned things around to put the Panthers up 8-7.

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Emalyn Bird followed that up with back-to-back hits for PJC and eventually it was 15-11 for the T-Birds.

Once again Paris fought back to tie things up at 18-18 before eventually jumping out front 20-18 on strong serves by Faith Smith.

Kayla Silverthorne then tied things up at 20-20 with strong serving and with Reese Barton also serving well, and Blair Matthews tipping a point over the net, PJC was able to tie the match at 1-1.

More strong serving by Barton helped the Thunderbirds earn a 10-8 third-set advantage, which was then increased to 12-8. But that that point, Aliah Kingswood came to life at the net and she helped Paris erase its deficit.

Leading 14-13, Rowan Worrall and Kovacs were outstanding at the net and after getting out front 19-15, the Panthers took the set.

Up 2-1, Emelia Hallman served the hosts into an 11-0 lead in the fourth set as Paris cruised to the victory.

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