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Portland tops Beech in five set showdown





Portland players celebrate their five set victory over Beech Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Portland players celebrate their five set victory over Beech Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Portland claimed an epic 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 32-30, 17-15) victory over Beech on the hardwood Tuesday night in Hendersonville as the Lady Panthers improve to 11-2 overall and 4-1 in league play. 

Beech tied the match at two sets, each following a 32-30 set four victory, and nearly clawed their way back to win the fifth and final set, but two offensive errors cost head coach Tim Carlson and his team the victory. 

The five set match reminded Portland head coach Rob Lesemann of the old district 9 playing days, battling the Lady Bucs to the bitter end. 

“It’s back to the way it was before we moved to Class AA; you can expect five sets every time,” he said. “I knew this would be a good match; they have a good team, made some good changes — it was a battle, fun match.”

After four ties and three lead changes, Portland jumped out to a 1-0 lead following a 25-21 first set victory. 

Beech battled back in the second set, and after five ties and three lead changes, the Lady Bucs seized control of set two with a 25-21 victory. 

Beech's Maddie Megginson, middle, and Carly Mueller attempt to block the shot of Portland's Emma High.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Maddie Megginson, middle, and Carly Mueller attempt to block the shot of Portland’s Emma High.Brett Berwager

“Beech is a good team,” Lesseman said. “There will be runs both ways, and you just try to be prepared to cut them off as soon as you can.”

Portland claimed a crazy set three victory, 26-24 after Beech found themselves up 24-21 following a back-and-forth set. 

From there, Portland earned a side-out to keep the match alive, then exploded for five straight points and the set victory. 

“Our girls showed they are ready for the second half of the district schedule today,” Lesemann said. “If we have this attitude the rest of the year, we will be fine.”

The two squads battled in an epic fourth set as Beech prevailed with a 32-30 victory to push the match to five sets following 13 ties and 10 lead changes. 

“I thought that set would take more out of them than it did,” Lesemann said. “We started right in the fifth; we were both out of subs — it looked like backyard ball out there.”

Beech's Chloe Perry, left, dives to hit the ball beside her teammate Briley Johnson.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Chloe Perry, left, dives to hit the ball beside her teammate Briley Johnson.Brett Berwager

Portland jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the final set before a Beech comeback tied the match at nine all. 

Beech took its first lead at 12-11, forcing a Portland timeout. The Lady Bucs looked poised to take the victory, 14-13, but a Lady Panthers side out tied the match at 14 for the sets fifth tie. 

From there, the two teams scratched and clawed until finally, the Lady Panthers won on back-to-back Beech errors.

“The biggest takeaway tonight is we can win a tight match. To come out on top in this game is a big deal,” Lesemann said.

Portland's Grace Tucker hits the ball over the net while attempting to score a point against Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Grace Tucker hits the ball over the net while attempting to score a point against Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland players huddle together while celebrating their first set victory over Beech Tuesday night.Brett Berwager

Portland players huddle together while celebrating their first set victory over Beech Tuesday night.Brett Berwager

Portland's Emma High, left, and Rayleigh Hester attempt to block a shot attempt by Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Emma High, left, and Rayleigh Hester attempt to block a shot attempt by Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland's Emma High rises to spike the ball against Beech players Tuesday night.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Emma High rises to spike the ball against Beech players Tuesday night.Brett Berwager

Beech's Kalani Jones, left, and Chloe Perry wait for a serve by Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Kalani Jones, left, and Chloe Perry wait for a serve by Portland.Brett Berwager

Portland and Beech players battle at the net during Tuesday night's match at Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland and Beech players battle at the net during Tuesday night’s match at Beech.Brett Berwager

Beech's Carly Mueller attempts a spike against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Carly Mueller attempts a spike against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech's Belle Pearson sets the ball for her teammate Carly Mueller.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Belle Pearson sets the ball for her teammate Carly Mueller.Brett Berwager

Beech's Belle Pearson sets the ball for Hailey Thompson during Tuesday night's match against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Belle Pearson sets the ball for Hailey Thompson during Tuesday night’s match against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech's Chloe Perry falls to the floor after diving to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Chloe Perry falls to the floor after diving to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech's Hailey Thompson, left, and Lauren Coffee attempt to block the shot attempt by Portland's Emma High.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Hailey Thompson, left, and Lauren Coffee attempt to block the shot attempt by Portland’s Emma High.Brett Berwager

Portland's Layla Loftis attempts to block a shot by Beech's Belle Pearson.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Layla Loftis attempts to block a shot by Beech’s Belle Pearson.Brett Berwager

Beech players celebate winning a point against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech players celebate winning a point against Portland.Brett Berwager

Portland players react to two Beech defenders attempting to block a shot.Brett Berwager

Portland players react to two Beech defenders attempting to block a shot.Brett Berwager

Beech's Briley Johnson, middle, watches her teammate Chloe Perry prepare to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Briley Johnson, middle, watches her teammate Chloe Perry prepare to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Portland's Emma High sets the ball for a teammate at Beech Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Emma High sets the ball for a teammate at Beech Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Portland's Emma High hits a return shot.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Emma High hits a return shot.Brett Berwager

Beech's Hailey Thompson reacts while attempting to hit the ball at the net against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Hailey Thompson reacts while attempting to hit the ball at the net against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech's Maddie Megginson, middle, and Hailey Thompson attempt to block the spike attempt by Portland's Emma High.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Maddie Megginson, middle, and Hailey Thompson attempt to block the spike attempt by Portland’s Emma High.Brett Berwager

Portland's Layla Loftis, middle, celebrates winning a point with teammates Tuesday at Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Layla Loftis, middle, celebrates winning a point with teammates Tuesday at Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland's Emma High jumps in the air while hitting a shot against Beech.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Emma High jumps in the air while hitting a shot against Beech.Brett Berwager

Beech's Belle Pearson sets the ball for her teammate Carly Mueller.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Belle Pearson sets the ball for her teammate Carly Mueller.Brett Berwager

Beech's Hailey Thompson, right, and Maddie Megginson attempt to block a shot at the net by Portland's Rayleigh Hester.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Hailey Thompson, right, and Maddie Megginson attempt to block a shot at the net by Portland’s Rayleigh Hester.Brett Berwager

Beech's Ruby Elkin jumps in the air while celebrating a point won by her teammates Tuesday against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Ruby Elkin jumps in the air while celebrating a point won by her teammates Tuesday against Portland.Brett Berwager

Portland's Emma High hits a shot over Beech's Hailey Thompson.Brett Berwager

Portland’s Emma High hits a shot over Beech’s Hailey Thompson.Brett Berwager

Beech's Lauren Coffee, middle, and Riley Long attempt to block the shot of Portland's Emma High.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Lauren Coffee, middle, and Riley Long attempt to block the shot of Portland’s Emma High.Brett Berwager

Beech's Lily Manigault moves to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Lily Manigault moves to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech's Lauren Coffee prepares to hit a serve against Portland Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Lauren Coffee prepares to hit a serve against Portland Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Beech's Chloe Perry dives while attempting to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech’s Chloe Perry dives while attempting to hit a return shot against Portland.Brett Berwager

Beech players react to losing a point late in the fifth set against Portland Tuesday.Brett Berwager

Beech players react to losing a point late in the fifth set against Portland Tuesday.Brett Berwager

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