The PECI Panthers came within a game of becoming the 2023 District Girl’s Volleyball Champions earlier this month in North Hastings.

After besting the likes of Athol-South Marysburgh, Kente and CML Snider at the County Championships Nov. 30, the Panthers represented Prince Edward at the Bancroft District finals December 5.

PECI met the Marmora Public School Miners in the gold medal game and managed to win the opening set. But midnight finally caught up with the Cinderella squad as the Miners earned a match-tying set of their own. In the tie-breaking third set, PECI fell 15-11.

Coach Heather Egan said the squad was intimidated walking into the North Hastings High School gymnasium but the feeling subsided quickly.

The Panthers turned in a phenomenal effort, blanking Tyendinaga in the quarterfinals and sweeping the host NHHS Huskies in the semis.

“We’ve been practising daily for over a month and the unity, sportsmanship and encouragement among the players was next level,” Ms. Egan told the Gazette. “The maintained positivity through a number of difficult matches and every girl earned their spot on this team.”