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Panthers hold off 'Canes, snap skid

LECANTO -- No one wants to go out a loser.

That thought was on the Lecanto players' minds during Senior Night on Wednesday as the Panthers snapped a three-match losing streak with a 7-15, 15-2, 15-11 win against Citrus.

Lecanto senior Amanda Whitelaw, who had a team-high four aces, said her team settled down in the second and third games after a shaky start.

"We came in here and were so anxious after the ceremony, it got to us and made us nervous," Whitelaw said.

Senior Kacie Henderson had eight kills in the third game and the Panthers (9-6) needed every bit of offense they could get to hold off the visiting Hurricanes. Henderson finished with 13 kills and three aces and classmate Heather Pontius added seven kills and one block.

"(Henderson's) passing and hitting and serves were really good," Lecanto coach Kathy Allen said. "She got a little off in the end and we threw Ashley (Stewart) in there to settle her down."

Citrus senior Brittney Doyle, who had 10 kills and four aces, contributed to the close contest. The Hurricanes (4-8) jumped out to a 5-0 lead en route to winning the first game. Citrus then came back from a 7-0 deficit in the third game to tie it at 11-11 but could not close out the match.

"It is so frustrating because we know we have the talent, skill and ability to win," Doyle said. "We proved that in the first game and then started making mistakes and it was a downward spiral from there."

Lecanto picked up its play in the second game and Allen said her team was more aggressive after substitutes MaryAnn Emberley and Megs Brown entered the game.

Whitelaw started the second game with an ace and senior Stacey Lowe had seven of her eight kills as the Panthers rolled. Lecanto had 15 aces in the match and seven players had at least one. In Tuesday's three-game loss to Hernando, the Hurricanes won the first game only to lose the match. Citrus coach Pam Woznicki said her team has come on strong the last few matches but needs to finish what it starts.

"If I can just get them to come out in the second game and put the hammer down ... but we're too hot and cold in the second game," Woznicki said.

Woznicki said Doyle has taken on more of a leadership role this season. The middle hitter put 22 of her 27 attacks in play. Teammates Ashley Mangrum had five kills and Alycia LePage had four.

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