PANORA — The Panorama volleyball team won their first postseason match since at least 2005 by claiming a 3-2 nail-biter over visiting Van Meter Tuesday.
The Bulldogs (15-12) had surprised a streaking Panther squad with a 3-1 win Oct. 2 at Panora, and threatened to do so again in the Class 2A Region 3 first round battle.
Van Meter opened the match with a 25-22 win, but Panorama (17-11) posted a 25-11 win in the second set to tie the contest. The Bulldogs were 25-17 winners in set three, but the Panthers staved off defeat with a 25-23 victory in the fourth set. The hosts then rose to the occasion, posting a 15-12 win in the decisive fifth set to win the match.
Individual statistics were not available from Tuesday’s contest.
Panorama moves on to face host Earlham (16-10) Oct. 22. The Panthers topped the Cardinal, 3-1, in WCAC play but fell, 2-1, to Earlham at the Perry Invite. The winner travels to Treynor Oct. 25, with AHSTW, a 3-0 winner over WCV, facing No. 8 Treynor Oct. 22.
The Region 3 Final will be hosted by Lewis Central Oct. 30. St. Albert plays Missouri Valley and West Monona battles Woodbury Central on the opposite side of the bracket.
