The Pekin Panthers put together an impressive run at the Cardinal Volleyball Invitational on Saturday, September 20th, capturing first place with a string of strong performances that featured balanced offense, steady serving, and gritty defense.
Battling Hillcrest Academy
After losing in a conference match with them on Thursday, Pekin faced one of its toughest challenges of the day against Hillcrest Academy, falling in a three-set battle, 25-13, 20-25, 9-15. Setter Carlie Gambell kept the offense moving with 14 assists, while Paislee Coleman powered down seven kills and Reece Brisby added five. Gambell, Mya Glick, and Katelynn Schultz chipped in three kills apiece.
On defense, Payten Coleman anchored the back row with 10 digs, while both Paislee Coleman and Brisby had five each. Ezra Parsons added four digs. At the net, Brisby and Glick each recorded a block. From the service line, the Panthers were sharp—Paislee Coleman tallied three aces, Parsons two, and Brisby one—helping Pekin post an 89.1% serving efficiency.
The two teams met again later in the tournament, this time with Pekin flipping the result in a nail-biter, 25-20, 17-25, 15-13. Gambell dished out 20 assists to fuel the attack, with Paislee Coleman registering 10 kills, Brisby seven, and Glick five. Defensively, Paislee Coleman and Brisby each dug seven balls, while Payten Coleman contributed six. At the net, Kendra Schultz and Paislee Coleman tallied two blocks apiece. Pekin’s serving was again reliable, finishing at 91.1% with Parsons (two aces), Gambell, Brisby, and Coleman all contributing.
Serving Surge Against Moulton-Udell
Against Moulton-Udell, Pekin’s serving proved decisive in a 25-17, 25-13 sweep. Parsons dominated from the line with eight aces, while Payten Coleman added five more. Gambell, Paislee Coleman, Kenadie Long, and Kendra Schultz chipped in additional aces, giving the Panthers 17 as a team.
Gambell distributed 15 assists to go with one dig, while Paislee Coleman slammed down 10 kills and Brisby added seven. The team finished with 22 total kills, overcoming 10 errors, and maintained an 85.7% serving clip.
Control Against Louisa-Muscatine
The Panthers stayed in rhythm against Louisa-Muscatine, winning in straight sets, 25-18, 25-19. Gambell tallied 14 assists to lead the offense, setting up Paislee Coleman for five kills. Gambell and Katelynn Schultz each added three kills, while Glick, Brisby, and Kendra Schultz contributed two apiece.
On defense, Payten Coleman led with seven digs, followed by Brisby with six and Gambell with five. The serving unit produced four aces—two from Kendra Schultz and one each from Payten Coleman and Paislee Coleman—while maintaining a 76% efficiency.
Win Over Highland
Pekin had a dominant performance against Highland, sweeping 25-9, 25-13. Gambell set the tone with 19 assists and four kills, while Paislee Coleman led the offense with eight kills and Brisby followed with six. The team committed just seven kill errors while piling up 25 total kills.
Defensively, Payten and Paislee Coleman each had five digs. From the service line, Gambell was especially sharp, delivering four aces, while Ezra Parsons and Payten Coleman added one apiece. The Panthers finished with an 87.2% serving efficiency.
A Complete Team Effort
Across the day, Pekin showcased its depth and balance. Gambell consistently ran the offense, finishing with double-digit assists in every match. Paislee Coleman and Brisby anchored the front row with steady scoring, while Payten Coleman provided defensive stability and Parsons brought game-changing serving runs.
With a first-place finish at the Cardinal Invitational, the Panthers not only collected hardware but also gained momentum as they move deeper into the season. After entering the tournament 3-8, they leave 7-9. Their next action will be hosted by Pekin on Monday, September 22nd, with a volleyball quad featuring Cardinal, Moravia, and Moulton-Udell.
