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Home > Archive > Oct 11, 2007

Panthers Positive Going Into Showdown Against Strong SC Squad
By Stephen Vincent
Pine View and Snow Canyon will play each other in a key Region 9 volleyball matchup at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Pine View.
Snow Canyon, the defending state champions, won the first meeting between the two squads in three games.
Snow Canyon is led by talented senior outside hitters in Liz McArthur and Angela Walter, while Pine View has its own star at outside hitter in Cimarron Smith.
The Warriors, however, have a more experienced cast surrounding their stars, which includes Anna Nostrant, Kamee Bentley, Taylar Barney and Jamaica Alisa. While the Panthers team has less experience, their coach, Richard Hentosh, feels they are progressing and maturing into a solid squad.
But time is not on Pine View's side.
With the season winding down, Pine View enters the game knowing that it is in a must-win situation. A loss here, and the Panthers are out of the state playoff picture, and Dixie and Snow Canyon will each be guaranteed a spot in the 16-team 4A field.
At 0-2 in region, the Panthers have just two games left to rectify that scenario.
“Now, it's a must-win situation,” Hentosh said. “I'm thinking we need at least one win, and we probably need two. But you never know. One win could get us into a playoff situation to go to state, and that would be quite an accomplishment to get to a playoff game. And two wins would really be an accomplishment.”
On the flip side, the Warriors are having a strong season, but a hard-fought, five-set loss to Dixie places Snow Canyon in a vulnerable situation. If Snow Canyon falls to Pine View, then the Warriors would have to beat Dixie to avoid a tie for second place with the Panthers.
A win over Pine View, though, and Snow Canyon will face Dixie at home, Oct. 23, with a chance to tie the Flyers to tie for the region title.
From Pine View's perspective, Hentosh realizes his team faces a tough task in knocking off powerhouses Dixie and Snow Canyon.
But despite the direness of its situation, the Panthers remain upbeat.
Even though his team has yet to win in the 4A portion of Region 9, Hentosh said he is proud of his team and pleased with its progress.
“I couldn't be any happier,” Hentosh said. “I know that sounds weird when you're 0-2 in region, but I really can't complain. We're working on the things we need to correct. It's easy to give up when you're going up against two of the powers in the state.”
Pine View entered the season with a difficult task. Their young team was placed into a three-team region with two powerhouses to battle for two playoff berths. But the Panthers have remained poised throughout.
“They're in a great mood about it,” Hentosh said. “It seems like they're really positive about what's been going on. I've been in the situation where a team is going south, but that's not the case here. This could be a Cinderella year for us, or maybe not. But when they walk off the court at the end of this year, they'll know they gave it their best.”

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