MONTICELLO – Spectators packed the “Pit” on Monday night for the Class A Section Semi volleyball match between the hometown Monticello Panthers and the visiting Beacon Bulldogs. The Panthers have shown much growth over the season under new head varsity coach Sierra Smith. In a 3-set sweep of the Bulldogs, the Panthers now head into the second round of sectionals to face off against the #1 seed, Port Jervis Red Raiders. 

The Panthers took the first three sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-17. After the Panthers took the second set, the Beacon Bulldogs tried to regroup and managed a brief run in the opening volleys, but the Panthers had home crowd support on their side and were unfazed. 

The Panthers grabbed an 8-3 lead, forcing Beacon to call a timeout. Despite multiple errors from Beacon, they did their best to stay close, down just 14-8. With a push of multiple service points from Julissa Velez and Genevieve DeSimone in the third set, the Panthers rallied to close out the game and move into the next round of the playoffs.

 Leading the way for the Panthers was Morgan Hutchins with 11 assists, 6 aces, 6 kills, and 11 digs. Julissa Velez had 15 kills, 4 aces, 9 digs, and 2 blocks, and Genevieve DeSimone landed 6 kills, 5 aces, and 10 digs.

You can catch highlights of the Thursday, November 6, Panthers vs Port Jervis Red Raiders’ matchup in Tuesday’s sports section.