Northshore Sweeps Fontainebleau in First-Round Division I Match
The Panthers defeated the Bulldogs 25-16, 25-17, and 25-20, securing a postseason berth while playing their final home game.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
Northshore volleyball finished its home season with a decisive victory over its district rival, Fontainebleau, on Nov. 5. The Panthers swept the Bulldogs in three sets, 25-16, 25-17, and 25-20, to advance to the second round of the Division I postseason.
The result marked the final match for five Northshore seniors in their home gym. Gracie Schaff, a senior libero, recorded a match-high 24 digs for the 12th-seeded Panthers. Schaff credited the team's success to a shared effort and an aggressive mindset.
“We made it a point to have so much fun and work as a team,” Schaff said. “I’ve just made so many connections, and it’s been so much fun.”
Coach Danny Davis stated that the coaching staff aimed to alter the team's approach compared to previous meetings. He noted that Northshore had given Fontainebleau too many free balls in their last contest. Davis said the team focused on applying pressure through offense to force errors from the 21st-seeded Bulldogs.
“Today, we wanted to focus on being more aggressive with our offense and force them to do things that they have not seen,” Davis said. “We were just trying to throw them a little curveball.”
Sophomore Riley Porter contributed 14 kills and eight digs, while freshman setter Sela Doll recorded 24 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Braylin Lafontaine added five blocks. Seniors Bailey Schmit and Brooklyn Ballard finished with 16 and 13 digs, respectively.
The first two sets followed a similar pattern. Northshore established control after tight early play, winning the first set 25-16 and the second 25-17. A block by Lafontaine and junior Imari Marsalis ended a long rally in the second set, and Marsalis recorded a kill shortly after to close the set.
The third set remained competitive until the final minutes. Fontainebleau senior Emma Hollowell led the Bulldogs with 10 kills and helped tie the score at 18 after Northshore had built a 15-11 lead. However, a blocked attack by Panthers senior Sarah Johnsen extended Northshore's lead to 20-18. Porter and Johnsen recorded kills to secure the 25-20 victory.
Fontainebleau coach Kacie Mulé acknowledged that her team struggled with consistency due to injury issues during the season. She noted that the squad utilized three different starting middles at various points. Mulé stated that Northshore played better offensively in the match.
“We just didn’t have enough offense,” Mulé said. The Panthers will travel to 6th-seeded Prairieville for their next match on Saturday. Prairieville holds a 31-8 record.
