NorthWood Sports Wrap: Aug 15
Girls Golf
The NorthWood girls golf team continued its winning ways Tuesday night by topping Fairfield in its first dual match of the season.
The Panthers, who were honorable mention in this week’s coaches’ poll, started the season in busy mode with play in seven different invitationals.
NorthWood shot a 165 over the McCormick Creek home layout Tuesday to best the Falcons, who came in at 232.
Maxkenzie Weaver earned medalist honors for coach Adam Yoder’s strong team with a 37.
Madison Richner shot a 41 and Abby Slabaugh a 42 for the hosts. McKenna Gall shot a 45 and Kylee Gall a 47 for the Panthers.
“It was nice to get a week of practice in after those seven tourneys,” noted coach Yoder. “We look at the 9-hole portion of our season as a way to improve on playing in the present and moving on from good and bad holes. Players just don’t have time in a nine-hole match to wallow in the bad holes or bask in the good holes. It’s all about just moving on to the next hole and putting up the best score you can. Obviously that’s incredibly important in NLC play since the regular season performance counts just as much as the tourney performance in the standings.
“Our kids have learned that lesson from their experiences in the past and it obviously showed tonight. We have a lot of work to do in order to accomplish our goals, though.”
Jaylee Nunemaker led Fairfield with a 44 in the varsity outing.
NorthWood shot a 206, while Fairfield did not have a complete team in the JV match. Hope Cripe led the JV Panthers with a 43.
NorthWood (1-0) opens conference play at Concord on Aug. 22.
Girls Soccer
A huge second half put the exclamation point on an 8-0 season-opening win for the NorthWood girls soccer team.
The host Panthers tallied six second-half goals to blank Mishawaka.
Avery Bontrager led the scoring parade for the Panthers with a trio of goals.
The duo of Kali Parisi and Morgan Stickley each had a pair of goals and Betsy Nunemaker one for the winners.
NorthWood outshot the Cavemen 22-2 with Kira Robinson making two saves for the Panthers.
NorthWood (1-0) hosts Bethany Christian Saturday.
Volleyball
It was a case of too little too late for the NorthWood volleyball team at Penn.
The Panthers rallied late only to drop a 3-1 final to the host Kingsmen.
Penn took the match 25-11, 25-15, 22-25, 27-25 in non-conference play.
Kennedy Wiens led the Panthers with 11 kills to go with 10 digs.
Maddy Payne had nine kills and three blocks, while Whitney Gessinger had 19 digs.
Courtney Lengacher had three aces and 29 assists for the Panthers.
NorthWood won the junior varsity match 25-24, 25-17.
NorthWood (1-1) hosts Lakeland Thursday night.
Boys Tennis
A singles sweep carried Jimtown to a 3-2 boys tennis win over the Panthers.
The Jimmies got straight set wins at all three singles spots to earn the victory.
Holden Price toped Wes Troyer 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 to lead the way for Jimtown. Ben Clarke beat Landon Holland 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 and Austen Pearlson topped Jack Wysong 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3.
The Panthers claimed both doubles matches in straight sets. The No. 1 duo of Jared Hoffman and Brant Mast won 6-3, 6-0. The No. 2 team of Trevor Klotz and Trajan Schwartz notched a 6-2,6-1 win.
The junior varsity match ended in a 5-5 tie.
NorthWood (0-1) plays at Elkhart Central on Wednesday.