Panthers Defeat Fleming, Fall Short Against Durham in Weekend Action

North Bay, ON – The Canadore Panthers volleyball team had an eventful weekend at home, earning a 3-0 victory over Fleming before facing a tough 3-0 loss to Durham in the second match of the weekend.

Canadore vs. Fleming – January 18, 2025
In a dominant performance, the Panthers swept the Fleming Phoenix 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-12) on January 18. The team's offensive execution was on point, finishing with a team hitting percentage of .533, as they overwhelmed the visiting squad in every set.

Kassidy Dyer led the attack with an impressive 10 kills on 11 attempts, posting a .909 hitting percentage, and contributing 12 points to the win. Elise Churman added 2 kills and 6 digs, while Payton Smith contributed 10 digs defensively. The Panthers' all-around solid play was highlighted by a strong serving performance, with Reece Sommerfeld and Delainee Rogers contributing to the team's success in both serve and defense. The victory brought the Panthers to an overall 6-8 record for the season, showing a solid bounce-back effort after recent setbacks.

Canadore vs. Durham – January 19, 2025
The Panthers faced a tough challenge the following day against Durham, who edged out the home team with a 3-0 victory (26-24, 25-10, 25-22). Despite fighting hard in the opening and third sets, the Panthers couldn't find enough offensive rhythm, finishing with a team hitting percentage of just .158. Durham's well-rounded performance, proved too much for Canadore.

In the match, Elise Churman was again a standout player for Canadore, contributing 10 kills and 11 points, while Calandra Bychyk added 6 kills and 8 points. Payton Smith led the defensive effort with 13 digs, but Durham's balanced attack and blocking game (with 8 team blocks) helped them control the tempo and seal the victory.

Looking Forward
Despite the loss to Durham, the Panthers' strong showing against Fleming highlighted the team's offensive potential and resilience. The team will focus on improving consistency and minimizing errors as they prepare for their upcoming matches. With key players like Kassidy Dyer and Elise Churman leading the charge, the Panthers are poised for continued growth as they move deeper into the season.

The Panthers will look to build on their strong performance and continue the push for the postseason.

Next Game:
Canadore Panthers vs. Centennial Colts
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Canadore College

Canadore Panthers vs. George Brown Huskies 
Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Canadore College

For more information about the Canadore Panthers, please visit https://canadorecollegeathletics.prestosports.com or follow @canadore_panthers on Instagram.