Panthers Fall in Three-Game Match to Lafayette

Lafayette High School’s 11 blocks and 35 kills tested Mehlville’s defense as the Panthers fell in three games in Lancer territory Thursday night.

Mehlville took the first game 25-20 after starting with a 17-11 lead. Their defense quickly figured out the Lancer setter’s tips and Aaron Friday’s quick hits and slides closed the game in the Panthers' favor.

No. 5 ranked Lafayette started out the second game with a decisive kill by Nick Hollander. The senior led the team in kills with 12 for the night. The Lancers took an early 7-2 lead and Mehlville could not catch up, falling 25-19.

“We lost energy,” Mehlville coach James Fischer said. “We’ve fought through adversity when we were down one game against CBC and Vianney and that’s not the team that was on the floor tonight.”

The momentum swung in the Lancers’ favor in the third game as the Panthers struggled with serve receive, pushing setter Austin Rademeyer close to the net.

The Lancers cruised to a 25-10 win despite three kills in the game by Friday.

“He’s just an athlete,” Fischer said of the senior’s effort. “We’re not a tall team so we have to run those quicks before they get a block up. Aaron Friday brings that element to the team.”

Friday finished with seven kills for the night; junior Mark Leininger added five and Ryan Hoyer had four.

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