Pender loses at Homer

The Pender Pendragons lost 3-2 at Homer Tuesday night.

The Knights won the first two sets 25-23 before the Pendragons won sets three and four 25-22 and 25-14. Homer took set five 15-10.

Pender did a nice job battling back and forcing a fifth set. Almost all the sets were close, and the Pendragons easily could have thrown in the towel after the second set, but they didn't.

Pender (9-11) battles Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family (15-8) in the first round of the East Husker Conference Tournament in Genoa on Thursday.

The Bulldogs went 2-1 at their own invite on Saturday, downing Howells-Dodge and Clarkson/Leigh 2-1, but losing 2-1 to Twin River.

Both teams have been somewhat inconsistent this year, but Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family has played better volleyball after starting the season off slowly.

I think the Pendragons have a chance to compete and perhaps pull off the upset against the Bulldogs, but Pender has to be on top of their game.

The Pendragons have to find a way to win the close sets they lost against the Knights.

Taking the first set is probably a must for Pender if they hope to win. It's not to say the Pendragons couldn't come back and win two sets in a row, I just think it would be very difficult.

Pender has to close out Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family if they get the chance. The Pendragons can't afford to let things slip away if they have a chance to close things out.

Pender has to play their game, and not be intimidated by or scared of the Bulldogs.

These two teams played a five set match at Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family on September 27th with the Bulldogs winning 3-2 so these two teams will be no strangers to one another.

I look for the Pendragons to give Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family everything they want and then some.

I think Pender has a shot at the upset, I really do.

12's often beat 5's in the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament, and I look for that to come into play in this tournament as well perhaps.

The Pendragons must be on top of their game if they want to win. Only Pender's best effort will yield them a victory, in my opinion.