Last Friday may have been the start of the high school football season and the buzz it generates but for Pflugerville volleyball fans a great match took place at Connally gym as the Lady Cougars played host to the Lady Panthers from Pflugerville High.

Folks in attendance could not have asked for a more exciting match-up as the Cougars and Panthers hammered away at one another for five games before Pflugerville (12-8) escaped with a 25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-13 victory over the Connally Cougars (7-12). While the records may not indicate such, the score reflects how evenly matched the teams were as they battled through the five-game match which saw each team experience its share of offensive runs and defensive stands.

The Cougars relied on the play of Cindy Okpegbue, Kristin Caldwell, Kara Babola and Elizabeth Johnbull all night and each were a key factor in the Cougars victories in games two and four. Okpegbue had a strong presence on the offensive side for Connally as she finished the evening with 21 kills and four aces. Many of Okpegbue’s points were set up by Caldwell, who contributed with 33 assists.

Defensively, Elizabeth Johnbull made her presence felt at the net with her three blocks and the countless shots she forced the Lady Panthers to redirect.

The Panthers on the other hand were led by Itiana Taylor, Lindsay Ernest, Kate Palladino, and Diana Omozee. Taylor’s 17 kills and three aces kept the Cougars in check all night, while Omozee bested her Connally counterpart, Elizabeth Johnbull, with four blocks for the Lady Panthers.