Newberry volleyball advances to state championship finals

BY HANK RONE

The Newberry Lady Panthers had a great win in the state semifinals today at Newberry High, sweeping Bell 25-17, 25-20, 25-18.

Seniors Paige Dinges, Grace Oelrich, and Katie Oxer stepped up big for the Panthers today. Paige had 16 kills and 10 digs; Grace had 14 kills and was huge at the net for 6 blocks. Katie Oxer finished the afternoon with 11 kills. 

The Newberry defense set up big blocks and successfully slowed down Bell’s offensive attack with the tenacious defense of senior DS Lily Haugh and junior Libero Abby Pace. 

Senior setter Sarah Miller dished 36 assists and had 10 service points to lead the Panthers against a solid Bell squad. The Lady Panthers will head to Ft. Myers on November 13 to take on 7-time defending State Champion Sneads.