They battled throughout eight explosive sets of volleyball.

But in the end, the young Alberton Lady Panthers could not secure a win, falling to Charlo last Thursday 3-1, then dropping another hard fought match to Victor by the same match score two days later.

Against the Western 14C conference leading Charlo Lady Vikings, Alberton did what they could against the traditionally strong visitors, including pushing them to the limit in the second set, but it was not enough to secure their third win of the year.

Charlo took the first set of the match 25-12 before the Lady Panthers rallied in the second set of a back and forth game. In the end, Alberton managed to pull ahead at the very end of the set, eking out a narrow 26-24 victory to square the match at one set each.

However, Charlo took their game to another level in the third set, coasting to a 25-10 win that gave them a 2-1 match lead. The visitors locked up the sweep in the fourth set, picking up a 25-11 win to escape town with a 3-1 win.

Saturday night Alberton traveled to Victor for a match with the Lady Pirates. This time Alberton took an early match lead with a hard fought 25-23 first set victory, giving them a 1-0 match lead. They led the first set the entire way.

The second set was one of the hardest fought, and longest, sets of the year. The nail-biter of a game featured six ties and as many lead changes including being knotted at 28 apiece. Victor managed to score the final two points of the match and pull out a 30-28 win that squared the match at 1-1.

In a match during which every game featured 20 or more points by both teams, Victor won the third set 25-20, the largest margin of victory on the night, and took a 2-0 match lead.

The fourth set was also a down to the wire event, with Victor finding a way to scratch out a 25-23 set victory and win the match 3-1.

Next up for the Lady Panthers is a match this Thursday night in St. Regis against the Lady Tigers.