The 2019 season is still young – but already the Jefferson High volleyball team has convincingly demonstrated two things. First, the Panthers are not (yet) playing to the standard of the squad that went undefeated in the regular season a year ago. But also: they’re a tough bunch.
The Panthers split two matches over Homecoming weekend. The first was a wild, five-set thriller with Townsend in front of a very loud and proud home crowd. Jefferson fell behind early, but worked their way to an 18-15 lead on two aces by Sam Zody, back to back kills by Dakota Edmisten, and another kill by older sister Mykala Edmisten. Townsend went on a 7-2 run to take a 22-20 lead, but the last five points – and a 25-22 game – went to the Panthers.
Games two and three didn’t go as well. The Panthers dropped the second, 10-25, after falling behind early. In the third, the gym itself came into play. Jefferson High’s gym features large ceiling beams that are beautiful – but not ideal for the sport of volleyball. Normally, it’s visiting teams that struggle with this architectural detail, but this time the Panthers had a hard time staying clear, helping to feed a 10-21 deficit. Jefferson came back with an 8-4 run that got the fans going, but Townsend prevailed for a 25-18 win.
