Sue Sitter/PCT Panthers middle blocker Peyton Hauck mans the net against the MLS Mavericks.

A battle-scarred Rugby Panthers team ended their season in the quarterfinal round of the class B Region Six tourney with a 3-0 loss against the Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Mavericks at the Minot Auditorium Nov. 8.

The district 11 Panthers had won 3-0 against the district 12 Mavericks Oct. 14. The Panthers went on to fight to a first-place finish for district 11 against the Velva Aggies, Nedrose Cardinals and Drake-Anamoose Raiders, all teams they’d fallen to during the regular season.

At districts, however, Panthers Coach Jessica Fritz reminded the team, “We start with a clean slate. Every game’s a new game, and every pass, honestly. It’s one pass at a time.”

Passing proved to be a strength for the Panthers. Except for some rare miscommunication, libero Anna Johnson and setter Kiah Gault stayed busy and in sync with their team.

The battles, and the bruises, happened at the net.

MLS struck out with three points in the opening set after the ball sailed out of bounds off Panther hands. An ace by Kylie Abernathy put the Mavericks in the lead 3-0.

The Mavericks stayed ahead. When the Panthers trailed 2-10, Fritz called a timeout. Attacks by the Panthers never materialized. The Panthers fought back with kills by rear hitter Annika Johnson and outside hitter Mykell Heidlebaugh. Miscues, missed opportunities and violations continued to plague Rugby.

Both teams made heroic saves from the back of the court and the sidelines. Anna Johnson, outside hitter Brooke Anderson and several Mavericks slid on the floor.

A series of kills by middle blockers Kendra Leier, Peyton Hauck and Anderson sparked life into the Panthers. An ace by Gault and more kills by Hauck and Leier helped the Panthers climb to within one point of the Mavericks by set point for MLS. A last long rally and amazing save from backcourt by Rugby ended in the net with a double hit error and a 25-23 win for MLS.

The stunned Panthers found themselves behind early in set two. A kill and an ace by Hauck tied the score briefly before the Mavericks charged ahead.

The Mavericks never moved beyond four points in front of the Panthers this time, however. A block by Hauck and kill by Annika Johnson, together with a kill tipped by Anderson helped tie the game at 11 apiece. The teams stayed neck and neck

The Panthers struggled to a tie, then fell behind. While Rugby attacks went out of bounds, Abernathy and middle hitter Alison Undlin landed devastatingly accurate kills. The Mavericks put some distance ahead of them again and won 25-20.

In set three, the Panthers showed scars from battle. Defensive specialist Saige Connot played with gauze in her nose to stanch a bleed. A kill by Annika Johnson put Rugby ahead 17-16, however, Johnson landed on her ankle and crumpled to the floor in obvious pain.

The Mavericks charged ahead again with more kills by Abernathy. At game point, a kill by Leier bought the Panthers another chance with a sideout, but a miss serve gave set three and the game to the Mavericks.

The Mavericks would face district 12 rivals DLB in the semifinals Oct. 9. All district 11 teams went down in defeat in the quarterfinals.

Fritz said later in an email, “We just came out slow and couldn’t bounce back. We have so much to be proud of this season, and I love that we were able win the district tournament and play our best and get that victory for these girls. I am proud of each of these young ladies who have worked throughout the season to improve every day. The seniors are leaving big shoes to fill. We will miss them next year. They played their hearts out each and every day. I would love to say thank you to the parents for the support throughout the season and the fans who came and cheered us on.”