New season, new team for the Plano East Panthers volleyball team. 

In the season-opening match on the road at Lebanon Trail, East took control of the match early to get a 3-0 victory, winning 25-18, 25-22 and 25-22.

The Panthers jumped out to an early 8-3 lead in set one, which coach Nikki Pugh felt set the tone and intensity for the entire match. While the Trail Blazers battled back, the Panthers went on a six-point run to get the victory, capped off by a Tayah Little kill. 

The next two sets were much closer, with the scoring going back and forth and Lebanon Trail having leads in each set. East continued to battle and showed the ability to fight through adversity to clinch the win in straight sets. 

Set two to the Panthers! They take a 2-0 advantage after a 25-22 set victory. Plano East is one set away from victory pic.twitter.com/jAun2LYOpb

— Murphy Monitor (@MurphyMonitor) August 11, 2021

For Plano East, the win represents the first of the season and the first for new full-time head coach Pugh. The Panthers will play in the Tournament of Champions on Friday and Saturday at Duncanville High School.

For more stories like this, see the next week’s issue or subscribe online.

By Kyle Grondin • [email protected]