Sue Sitter/PCT Rugby middle hitter Kendra Leier spikes the ball over a block attempt by Bottineau’s Kyra Beckman.

The Rugby Panthers volleyball squad took second place in the Bottineau Early Bird Invitational Tournament at Bottineau High School Aug. 27.

Rugby fell 2-0 to the Region 4 Northstar Bearcats in the championship round after defeating Region 4 opponent Harvey-Wells County, District 11 rivals Westhope-Newburg and the Surrey Mustangs of District 12.

Five teams from District 11 in Region 6, two from District 12 in Region 6 and five from Region 4 participated in the daylong tournament that provided a glimpse at the volleyball season ahead.

Although the Panthers saw a steady rise up the ranks to the final round, it was not without challenges. Westhope-

Newburg’s Sioux showed the Panthers Rugby would have a tough contender in regular season in-district games.

The Surrey Mustangs, who share Region 6 with the Panthers, came next. Rugby defeated Surrey in the first set, never giving up the lead and winning 25-15.

The Mustangs fought back in the next set, battling through long rallies to tie 5-5 at the start. Aces from Rugby server Ally Graner put some distance between the Panthers and Mustangs. Kills by Lacie Deplazes and blocks by Mykell Heidlebaugh and Kendra Leier put Rugby in command. The second set ended with another 25-15 win for the Panthers.

The Panthers’ energy began to flag in the semifinal round, when Rugby faced the Bottineau Stars.

The Stars stayed on the Panthers’ tails for the first part of set 1. Mid-set, a 13-8 Panthers’ lead seemed to give Rugby breathing room.

An ace by Stars middle hitter Kyra Beckman and a kill by setter Erin Guariglia helped Bottineau close the score gap.

After blocks from the Stars front line, a kill by Beckman had Rugby setter Joey Wolf sliding on the floor. The Stars trailed the Panthers 13-14. The Panthers would never have more than a three-point lead from then to match point. A Heidlebaugh kill sealed the 25-21 set win for Rugby.

The second set followed a break to mop moisture from the floor in the humid gym. Warm air from outside flowed down the hallway to the gym as spectators entered and left the building. Large fans aimed at the court helped somewhat, but players took water breaks and wiped sweat from their faces.

In set 2, the Stars scored the first point. A miscue by Bottineau gave the Panthers a 1-1 tie. Both teams fought back and forth for the lead until Rugby again gained a five-point advantage midgame.

Just like in the first set, the Stars came charging back. Soon, the score tied at 18 each before a sideout and an attack by libero Joran Jundt caught the Stars off guard.

The struggle grew intense. An ace by Emma Rybchinski put the Stars within one point of a lead. Kills by Leier and Bottineau net violations put the Panthers ahead 20-24. A kill by Bottineau outside hitter Rebecca Benson helped the Stars rise again. Miscalculations by the Panthers tied the score 24-24.

Tournament rules gave the first team to score 25 points a game win. A Rugby net ball would give the Stars a 25-24 set 2 win.

Because of the total points scored by the Panthers, Rugby made the cut to the final round.

The Panthers faced the Region 4 North Star Bearcats for the championship.

After Rugby scored the first point of set 1, the Bearcats roared back, taking the lead and stretching it to 8-1 before Rugby scored a second point.

Attempts to power through North Star’s middle blockers Payton Harpestad and McKenna Wilke failed for the Panthers.

Rugby fell to the Bearcats 25-7.

The Bearcats kept the Panthers off-balance and on the defensive in set 2. The set followed the same pattern as the first, with Rugby scoring the first point, this time with a kill from middle hitter Peyton Hauck.

North Star held the Panthers to a single point until a net serve resulted in a sideout. A Rugby block narrowed the Bearcats’ lead to 5-3.

As the Bearcats’ lead grew to 8-5, Deplazes landed a kill. But attacks from Deplazes, Heidlebaugh and Leier soon met stronger North Star Blocks. Rugby would fall 25-12 to Bearcats in the pre-season tourney.

The Panthers had a weekend and Monday practice to regroup before they faced the Bearcats yet again Aug. 30.

“We usually end up seeing them at this tournament, turn around and play them again,” Panthers Head Coach Jessica Fritz said after the Panthers finished the tournament in second place.

Fritz said it wasn’t unusual for the Panthers to see different results in tournament games when they face the same opponents in regular season games.

“Last year, actually, we beat them at this tournament game and they turned around and just creamed us at home at their place,” Fritz said of the Bearcats.

“The girls knew they didn’t play this last game the way they were capable of playing. They’re ready to come back with a vengeance,” she said. “We’ll come back stronger.”

Results from the Aug. 30 Panthers home game against North Star will appear in the Sept. 10 Tribune.