After claiming its fourth consecutive Far West Regional title with a victory over Section V champion Harley-Allendale Columbia on Sunday, the Lady Panthers volleyball team will once again enjoy a community send-off as the girls make the trip back to Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

It is a journey that head coach Tammy Hosier has made before in pursuit of a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D Championship.

With all that experience, Hosier, who directed the team to a title in 2016, now has the ability to recognize moments that can make the difference when everything is on the line. When a quick moment of frustration cropped up during practice this week, the veteran coach made sure to bring everything to a halt and refocus her team.

“We can’t play frustrated. You can’t show frustration on the court,” Hosier said. “You have to let it go and that message was sent home.”

Kylie Schnars and the rest of the Panama volleyball team will open play at the NYSPHSAA tournament on Saturday morning against Section IV Candor. P-J file photo

Hosier has come to understand that volleyball is a game of ebbs and flows, and one in which amnesia about mistakes is a valuable asset.

On Saturday morning, Panama will play the second game of the day on Court 3 to begin pool play, first meeting Section IV representative Candor.

The Lady Panthers will play back-to-back games, meeting Section II Galway for their second contest before a brief break and a meeting with Section I Haldane to round out the opening day.

With pool play, making sure that your team remains composed can be even more important than during a head-up match like the one which will determine the Class D champion on Sunday.

“At this point it is all about the mental game,” said Hosier. “You’ve got to get yourself mentally and physically prepared. We talked through the week, I gave them Tuesday night off. I told them to get ahead on your homework, get packed, because this week will be stressful.”

From the left, Panama’s Jasmine Markham, Alexis Finnerty, Kylie Schnars (obscured), Natalie Angeletti and Ally Finnerty celebrate the team’s Class D Far West Regional win Sunday. Photo by Mackenzie Greene

One year ago, the Panthers fell to Bainbridge-Guilford in the finals after going undefeated in pool play. They were hoping to have a chance at revenge against the Bobcats, but will instead face this year’s Section IV champion Candor.

“I know Candor beat Bainbridge, who have been the state champs the last few years. We were looking forward to a rematch with them,” said Hosier. “I have to believe they are going to be strong. I have seen some film on all three teams. Sometimes that is not a great indication. From what it appears, all three are strong teams. They play pretty scrappy and have hitters. I didn’t see anything fancy, like running a quick middle or that kind of stuff.”

Also, Hosier didn’t see any one dominating player on her three pool-play opponents as Galway, Candor and Haldane all appear to be balanced programs.

Despite taking the opportunity to refocus her team during one practice this week, Hosier, for the most part, has been incredibly pleased with her team’s constitution.

“It is kind of tough this time of year to keep practicing and all that. Everything is starting to get a little bit old. The girls are hungry, they know we have to work hard,” said Hosier. “We had a good practice (Thursday). We have to keep that excitement level up high in order to perform well. I don’t think I’ve had a practice with as high of an energy level as today.”

After departing from Panama early this morning, the team will make a brief stop for breakfast in Hamburg before continuing on to Glens Falls.

Saturday’s focus will be on consistent play throughout the day to ensure that the Lady Panthers have a chance to return to finals action on Sunday.

“It is a totally different style of play than you are used to. Throughout the day you have to get there and be ready to play. But you have to keep yourself focused and ready to play all day long,” said Hosier. “Doing the little things right and remembering what got us here. Sometimes you think you have to change everything for the big games, (but) you don’t.”