Odessa, TX – The Permian varsity volleyball team showed tenacity in the season’s first dual at the PHS Fieldhouse on Monday evening. After dropping the first set, Mojo battled El Paso Franklin to three consecutive sets separated by only two-points (25-17, 27-25, 23-25, 25-23).
The Lady Panthers faced a familiar foe in the team that knocked them out of last year’s playoffs in three straight sets in El Paso. This time around, the Lady Cougars quickly found a focused Permian squad was ready to accept the challenge.
In the first set, both teams shook off some early season stiffness. Franklin nabbed an early 11-6 lead, but Permian responded to draw to within a single point at 13-12. The Lady Cougars took advantage of a couple of Mojo miscues to continue the upper hand and finish off the first set 25-17.
The Lady Panthers settled in as another back-and-forth affair brought about four lead changes in the second set. Permian was able to gain a 15-11 edge and hold the advantage until the Lady Cougars knotted the score at 20-20. The contest remained deadlocked as the set evened at 25-25. Franklin scored the next two points to win the set 27-25.
Mojo showed tenacity and made an impressive stand in the third set. Just as the previous two sets, neither team could extend a lead larger than five points. In the end, it would be the Lady Panthers taking the third set in 25-23. The final set would stay true to the pattern established all evening. Down the stretch, the Lady Cougars put together a rally that withstood Permian’s attempt to gain a late surge. Franklin took the fourth set 25-23 to end the game at three sets to one.
Permian will hit the road on Tuesday and travel to Amarillo for another dual – this time with Dumas and Palo Duro. A series of tournaments fill the remainder of the August schedule. Dates against Andrews, Lubbock High, and Monahans are also sprinkled in during the month.
PERMIAN VS EP FRANKLIN
Kills (36):
J Workman 16, S Orona 14, C Harris 5, A Quiroz 1
Assists (46):
I Brown 24, J Workman 17, I Garcia 5
Digs (63):
I Garcia 19, A Quiroz 14, O Orona 12, J Workman 10, L Brown 5
Aces (5):
A Quiroz 1, C Harris 1, J Workman 1, L Brown 1, S Orona 1
Blocks (1):
A Quiroz 1