Left to right…..
Stacie Murrah, Tarleton State
Sarah Cardenas, University of the Incarnate Word
Beth Soukup, University of the Incarnate Word
Kaelen Valdez, Angelo State
It has been along time coming but the Lady Panthers Volleyball team beat Reagan for the first time since 2001 to claim the Quarter Regional Title sending them to the regional tournament. Led by the attack of Beth Soukup
(15 kills, 4 aces), Kaelen Valdez (15 kills), Sarah Cardenas (22 assists), Meaghan Patterson (6 blocks) and Dominique Gonzalez (28 digs) the Panthers won 25-27,27-25, 25-15, 25-21in front of a crowd of 2100 fans. The largest ever to attend a high school volleyball playoff game.
The girls continued in the Regional tournament Friday at St. Mary’s defeating McAllen Rowe in three matches 25-13, 25-14, 25-15. Unfortunately, Saturdays game for the Region IV Title ended in a loss to Austin Westlakes 25-20, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19. The Panthers left everything on the court as Beth Soukup(21 kills) Sarah Cardenas (20 assists), Lauren Bohlen (2 aces) and Meaghan Patterson (7 blocks) kept the team fighting .Congratulation Lady Panthers Volleyball for a great season!
Rene Ramirez sets the ball for offensive play.
Meaghan Patterson hits against the Reagan defense.
Kaelen Valdez, Meagham Patterson and Lauren Bohlen triple block the
Rattlers.
The OC Volleyball team celebrates VICTORY over the Rattlers.
Unfortunately, Saturday’s game for the Region IV Title ended in a loss to Austin Westlakes 25-20, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19. The Panthers left everything on the court as Beth Soukup(21 kills) Sarah Cardenas (20 assists), Lauren Bohlen (2 aces) and Meaghan Patterson (7 blocks) kept the team fighting .Congratulation Lady Panthers Volleyball for a great season!
It seems like only yesterday O’Connor Coach Yamilet Garcia was pounding on the door of the ever evasive goal of District Champs. The last four years have been more of a breaking down the door senerio. This 2009 season is the 4th consecutive District title for her Lady Panthers. In 2006 she made a decision to put three promising freshman players on her Varsity team; Sarah Cardenas, Beth Soukup and Kaelen Valdez. The following year freshman Dominique Gonzalez joined the ranks. The team has a special bond and a strong desire to break down the door to state. Though not tall, the team plays a tenacious defense. The backrow defense is lead by libero Dominique Gonzalez and defensive specialist Brittney Stone, Gabby Bosquez and Danielle Chapa. The hard working middle blockers, Meaghan Patterson, Taylour Toso and Megan Umbel connect at the net to stop the opposing team. The key players who supply power attacks are Lauren Bolen, Stacie Murray, Dominque Rameriez, Beth Soukup and Kaelen Valdez. They are assisted by setters Sarah Cardenas and Renee Ramirez to push the offense. While each player has an individual role, they know that teamwork is the key to success. Each Panther knows that practice, desire, energy, strength, power, prayer and determination are all part of teamwork. In this game of anticipation and quick reaction the Panthers have related to the saying -”Keeping the ball from hitting the floor is keeping a dream alive.” The Lady Panthers dream is to win State.
They end every practice with one motivational word “State.” Good Luck Lady Panthers!
Senior Stacie Murrah leaps high for the kill.
Senior Lauren Bolen goes for the kill.
Junior Taylour Toso pounds against the Falcons defense.
Lauren Bolen tips over the Stevens for the point.
Meaghan Patterson and Lauren Bolen block the Stevens attack.
Panther pride could be felt all over Friday night as the Volleyball team met Brandeis for the district deciding match. The Panthers met Holmes Huskies early in the week with another sweep in three 25-6,25-6,25-6. The friday night rivalary met with some exciting moments but the team defeated the Broncos in three 25-17,25-17,25-18 to win their 4th straight 28 5-A District Championship. The last district game is Tuesday against Stevens then the Lady Panthers begin the race for State.
10/14
The O’Connor Panthers swept their opponents in another week of district play beating the Clark Cougars 25-11,25-14,25-21 and Taft Raiders
25-12,25-9,25-6. The Panthers Volleyball team now 32-3 for the season and
13-0 in district. The team is ranked 30th in the Nation, 6th in State and 2nd in the City. There are only 3 games left in the season and the girls will be headed for the playoffs. They take on the Holmes Huskies and Brandeis Broncos this week.
Lady Panther Meg Patterson cheers on her team.
Brittany Stone receives the Cougars serve.
Meg Umbel attacks the ball for the kill.
Middle Meg Patterson leaps for the kill.
Beth Soukup serves for the point.
Oct 062009
The Lady Panthers remain undefeated in another week of district play. The varsity team swept the Marshal Rams 25-12, 25-7, 25-10 and the John Jay Mustangs 25-5, 25-10, 25-12 in last weeks games. The serving power of Lauren Bolen, hitting attack of Patterson, Soukup and Valdez, combined with the defense of Cardenas and Gonzalez have led the team to their 42nd consecutive sweep in district play. The Panther face the Warren Warriors next Friday night at Paul Taylor Fieldhouse.
Miiddle hitter T. Toso attempts the kill.
D. Ramiez hits between the block.
Rightside hitter S Murrah attacks from the middle.
L. Bolen hits pass the Marshal defense.
Marks the Panthers 54th consecutive game win in district.
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Fantical fans, the Heart of the Lady Panthers!
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Valdez and Toso block the Broncos offensive.
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Rene Ranirez attempts to save the overpass.
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Lauren Bolen hits over Broncos defense.
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Kaelen Valdez serves up the point.
