Patuxent High Wins 2nd State Volleyball Championship

Patuxent High School's Pax Nation was at its finest on Saturday, November 16th at the University of Maryland's Ritchie Coliseum. The lady Panthers volleyball team played undefeated Poolesville from Montgomery County for the state championship in front of a crowd of Panther supporters. The ladies jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the best of 5 series, and the crowd grew even louder. Poolesville, however, was not fazed by the noise and came back to win the next two sets, setting up the fifth and final set as one to remember. The score went back and forth in the fifth set when, down 11-9, Patuxent finished with a 6-2 run to win the match and the title.

Senior Madison Scott summed up the match this way: "Epic." And an epic run it was for the Panthers. Led by Coach Kevin Keller, nearly the entire starting group of senior girls has played together since their freshman year. In two of their matches to reach the state championship this year, they fell behind 2-0 and then won three straight sets to win. "Giving up is not in our dictionary," said Sabrina Roberts.

Playing as a team and family are a recurring theme at Patuxent, a tone that is set by Principal Mike Watson and Athletic Director Steve Crounse. Pax Nation spirit was evident at the state championship, as one side of the coliseum yelled, "Pax!" and the other responded, "Nation!" Senior Chanel Underwood summed the school attitude, saying, "It's Pax Nation—the love and support that they're showing every day in school. It's an amazing thing." The same spirit is evident at all Patuxent athletic events, with most people wearing green shirts with Pax Nation on the front and the Latin phrase "Ex Familia Fortitudo"—which translates to Strength through Family—on the back.

Congratulations to Coach Keller, the Lady Panthers, and all of the Pax Nation.