Anahuac volleyball falls to Buna, Kirbyville
Anahuac’s Brogan May lifts herself off the court in a hard-fought battle against Buna last Tuesday night at home. The Lady Panthers are looking to get back on track after falling to Buna and Kirbyville last week. Photo by Chris Cody
ANAHUAC– The Anahuac Lady Panthers are still looking for a district win in 2025, after losing a pair of tough matches against Buna and Kirbyville last week.
A tight, skilled fire-up team of Lady Panthers took the court against Buna last Tuesday night in the best play we have seen from them in district all season.
Buna took the match, but Anahuac won the hearts of the fans in the Anahuac area. Buna won in three sets 25-20, 25-14, 25-16.
Set one saw two good hits from Brogan May, and three good hits from middle blocker, Addyln Pierce. Brecken Wilpiltz put two kills on the board. In between those hits were skin–of–the–teeth digs by Callie Hineke, Wilpiltz and Avery Smith.
In the second set, Rai’Anna Lewis saw an amazing kill to the deep corner. Impressive kills don’t happen without good sets. Brayli Van Vickle scored a kill to the opposite corner, which kept the Buna Cougars off balance.
The third set, May hit a cross-court kill to bring the Lady Panthers back into the game. At 8-8, Wilpiltz came up with another kill to go 9-8.
For a team that has been struggling this season, the play was serious and determined. Seniors Smith, Maddison Willis, and Hineke were leaders on the court, both through their play and their ability to rally.
On Friday night, the Lady Panthers hooked up with the Kirbyville Lady Cats, as they fell in three sets, 25-13, 25-18, 25-22.
This is Kirbyville’s first district win of the season. Anahuac is still seeking its first district win, but Coach Kristin Hart and her assistant coaches remain confident and hopeful.
The match saw excellent front row and back row play by Henicke, who had five kills on the night. She has been on varsity for two years and is noted for her consistency and winning athlete’s attitude. On Friday night, Callie was a spark plug in the front row.
Other players were outstanding in the match against Kirbyville.
Wilpiltz made a kill in the first set that was so hard we thought it might leave cracks on the court. She did not stop there. Her kill at score 11-17 was a nice tip to a hole in the middle.
In the second set, Wilpiltz made a kill at score 7-8 to set up the ace to bring the score even at 8-8. With another kill, Wilpiltz gave the Panthers their 12-13 score.
Set three was an exciting time for fans, with Addylyn Pierce playing a canny game and watching the holes on the Kirbyville side, she kept the Lady Panthers neck and neck with tip kills and power hits. The middle blocker is a junior who excels at the net and is ready to play.
When we watch Lady Panthers, we feel they should be number one in the state. Well, at least the district. This team is a group of exceptionally talented players who have an exceptionally gifted coach and assistant coaches who know the game and know them well.