The Pflugerville Panthers and Hutto Hippos entertained an exuberant crowd with an exciting volleyball match at Panther Gym. After dominating the first two games 25-19, 25-13, the Panthers lost the next two games to the Hippos 22-25, 22-25, before winning the final game 15-13.

In the first game, the Panthers took a 5-4 lead following a kill by I’tiana Taylor. The Hippos battled back and tied the game at 9-9. However the play of Taylor and Madison Rigdon at the net proved to be too much for the Hippos, as the Panthers won the first game 25-19.

In the second game, the Panthers never trailed, as they took a 7-2 lead following consecutive aces from Kate Palladino. The Hippos cut the Panthers lead to 12-9, following a kill by Audriana Carson. That was as close as they would get, as the Panthers the easily won the game 25-13.

After the first two games, many Panther fans thought this would be a quick night. However, the Hippos had other plans. In the third game the Hippos came out with a lot of energy and seized the momentum early behind the play of Macie Walker and Carson. Carson had two kills in the early going to give the Hippos a 3-1 lead. The Panthers managed to tie the game at 14-14 behind the play of Taylor and Rigdon. But an ace by Walker gave the Hippos a 15-14 advantage. Walker ended the game with a dink to give Hutto the 22-25 victory.

In game four, the Hippos continued to play with the drive that they displayed in game three. Despite trailing most of the game, the Hippos finally took the lead for good at 21-20, following consecutive aces by Walker. The Hippos would win the game 22-25.

In the fifth game, Pflugerville took an early 3-1 lead following an ace by Palladino. However, Panther mistakes allowed the Hippos to take an 8-5 lead. After a Panther timeout, a motivated Taylor helped the Panthers tie the game at 8-8 with a kill and a block in which she teamed with Nneka Enemkpali. Hutto once again took the lead following an amazing dink by Peyton Johnson. That would be the Hippos final lead of the night, as Taylor and Rigdon proved to be too much down the stretch and the Panthers won the game 15-13.

Taylor led the Panthers with 19 kills, Lindsay Ernest had 49 assists, while Pallindo added four aces and 14 digs.