Lady Panthers Edged Out in Heartbreaking 2-1 Regional Tournament Loss

Blairsville, GA – In a nail-biting regional tournament clash that came down to the wire, the Union County Lady Panthers fought valiantly but ultimately fell to the host Sonoraville Lady Phoenix by a score of 2-1 on Tuesday night, Oct. 7, at Sonoraville High School in Calhoun. The defeat drops Union County's season record to 25-26, but not without showcasing the grit and determination that has defined their campaign.

The match was a true test of endurance, with Union County claiming the opening set in a 25-23 squeaker before Sonoraville roared back to even the score at one apiece with a 25-20 victory in the second. The decisive third set proved agonizingly close, as the Lady Panthers battled to 13 points but couldn't overcome Sonoraville's late surge, falling 15-13 in a frame that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Union County's attackers stepped up early, powering through the first set with a team total of 33 kills across three sets on 104 attempts, good for a .144 hitting percentage. Leading the charge was senior standout Reese Jones, who erupted for 13 kills on 31 swings, boasting a team-high 41.9% kill rate and a .290 hitting efficiency. Her explosive play was crucial in keeping the Lady Panthers competitive, especially in those frantic rallies that defined the evening.

Sophomore setter Kamryn Brown orchestrated the offense with poise beyond her years, dishing out 26 assists over three sets while also contributing seven digs and two service aces. Brown's steady hand at the net – including a flawless 33.3% kill rate on her own six attacks – helped Union County maintain momentum, even as errors crept in during the later sets. "Kamryn's vision and leadership were everything tonight," one observer noted post-match, highlighting her role in setting up key transitions.

Defensively, Union County held their ground with 44 digs as a unit, led by a pair of defensive dynamos in sophomore Samantha Combs and Emry Sosensky, each scooping up 10 digs apiece. Combs also shone in serve receive, handling 17 passes with just one error, while Sosensky's 15 receptions underscored the back row's resilience. At the net, junior Sofia Foster and senior Mady Adams combined for nine total blocks – Foster with four and Adams with five – providing crucial stops that kept several Sonoraville rallies alive.

Serving proved a mixed bag for the Lady Panthers, who tallied five aces on 59 attempts but surrendered four errors, finishing with a 93.2% serve percentage. Seniors Jordan Beavers and junior Blaire Hedden were aces in their own right, each notching two service winners, while Combs and Hedden anchored the back line with eight points apiece through flawless serving stretches.

Though the loss stings, Union County's performance in this road tournament matchup – against a Sonoraville squad hungry for home glory – speaks volumes about their depth and heart. With Reese Jones' firepower, Brown's setter savvy, and a defense that refused to yield, the Lady Panthers showed they can hang with the region's best.