Avenal shuts down the Panthers

PARLIER – A young, rebuilding Parlier Panthers varsity team is definitely going through some growing pains in the early stages of their season. Looking for some consistency, the Panthers welcomed in an Avenal team that’s starting to gain some momentum at the right time. 

Parlier managed to keep the play close, but in the end, the Buccaneers proved too much to handle in a 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-13) non-conference victory at the Parlier High North Gym on Sept. 2. This is now the second consecutive shutout loss for the Panthers, who drop to 1-3 on the season. 

According to stats in MaxPreps, Parlier has averaged 18.8, 22.5 and 18.5 points in their first four games this season. 

The Panthers did their best to contain Avenal, led by primary playmaker, Middle Hitter/Blocker Guadalupe Santillan, who leads the team in kills (52), serving aces (41) and total blocks (22). And while Parlier kept the first two sets close, Avenal pulled away in the third and final set to finish off the match. 

Parlier has struggled against Avenal in their recent matches. With this loss included, the Panthers are now 0-4 against the Buccaneers dating back to last season. These teams last played each other in the quarterfinals of the Central Section D VI Playoffs last October. In that match, the Buccaneers ended the Panthers’ playoff push with a 3-1 victory on their home court.

With this loss now behind them, Parlier still has plenty of time to scratch and claw out some wins in the victory column. The Panthers will play seven of their next nine games on the road, with three of those games against teams with records under .500. 

Parlier’s next home game isn’t until Sept. 18, when Orosi rolls into town.