UNITY – Before the Panthers took the court against Burnt River Sept. 14, Prairie City Head Coach Sheila Hoberg reminded her team of the match’s importance.

“We really saw this win as a must,” said Hoberg. “If we wouldn’t have won this match, things could have gone downhill for us.”

After going winless in preseason play, the Panthers responded in the their 1A Special District 6 League opener with a 3-2 victory over the Bulls.

“We were communicating and talking more like a team,” said Panthers freshman Katie Cary. “This was a big win for us and we’re gaining more confidence as a team.”

The Bulls took the first match, 25-20, but the Panthers took the lead with two straight wins at 25-21 and 25-16. After losing the fourth game, 25-18, the Panthers clinched the win with a 15-6 win in the fifth game.

“Katie (Cary) did an awesome job passing and setting for us,” said Hoberg. “She was everywhere we needed her to be. There are good things to come from her.”

On Sept. 15, the Panthers competed in the Ukiah tournament, and lost their first match to Enterprise, 20-16.

“We just about had them. It took everything we had,” said Hoberg. “We weren’t expected to win that one, and the girls did everything they were asked. I’m proud of the way we played together as a team. We played at their (Enterprise’s) level.”

Then in bracket play, the Panthers met Crane and lost 20-13 and 23-21 in overtime.

Hoberg said the Panthers are still struggling through lineup changes, and more junior varsity players are seeing considerable playing time. Most notably, German exchange student Caroline Stark stepped up and made positive contributions for the Panthers in Ukiah.

Next up the Panthers are scheduled to hit the road Sept. 21 for matches against Harper and Huntington starting at 3 p.m.