Volleyball teams struggle through losing campaigns

This article is brought to you by This article is brought to you by Jeff Lipinski for Howard County Commissioner District 1.

When the Taylor girls’ volleyball team travelled to Western High School on Oct. 8, they were hopeful that facing their rivals might mean an end to a season-long losing streak.

But the Lady Panthers had other ideas. Struggling through their own disappointing campaign, Western registered a final win in their season, dropping the Lady Titans in straight sets, 3-0.

Taylor’s season came to a close on Oct. 17 with an opening round loss to Frankton in the IHSAA sectionals. Western went on to be bounced from a tournament at Twin Lakes before losing its opening round sectional match against Logansport.

The Lady Titans finished the season without a win, going 0-27. The Lady Panthers put up six wins for a 6-27 record. For both teams, the attention must be turned to improving in 2027.

It will be a bittersweet departure for Taylor seniors Ryleigh Pennington and Savannah Mike, who experienced just one win in their two years on the varsity squad. But they surely were able to share some wisdom with their young teammates, all of whome were sophomores and freshmen this season. Nariah Hensley and Alexis Farmer likely will have opportunities to lead next year.

Western will surely miss senior Ella Rawlings next year, as she led the team in kills and was a vital defensive stopper. Senior Rhys Rayl’s departure also will be felt, as she led the Lady Panthers from the service line with the most aces and was a ball-handling stalwart.

Fortunately, sophomores Ella Mashino and Kora Hart proved to be dangerous attackers, and junior Ella Crume will have a chance to build on her effective year from the service line.

Mashino and junior Kayleigh Auth will bring strong defensive play to the Lady Panthers in 2027. And junior Raeley Scott will have the chance to anchor the middle again next year.

See additional photos from the contest between Taylor and Western, with galleries for each team, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page.