The NorthWood Red Slam traveled to Warsaw Thursday night and battled the Tigers in a hard-fought varsity match before ultimately falling in five sets, 10-25, 25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 10-15. After dropping the opening set, NorthWood responded with back-to-back set victories, taking the second 25-20 and the third 26-24. The Panthers continued to battle in the fourth set, but Warsaw was able to force a deciding fifth set. The Tigers then closed out the match 15-10. Ella Branham led the Panthers offensively with 12 kills, followed by Emily DeFreitas with six. Abby Schmucker recorded five aces, while Branham added four. Defensively, Nola Nephew paced NorthWood with 19 digs, with Branham adding 12. At the net, Lily Thompson recorded six blocks and Addie Davis contributed four. Allie Yoder led the Panthers with 15 assists, while Davis added eight. The JV Panthers picked up a 2-0 victory, winning 25-23 and 25-20. The win moves the JV record to 13-7 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The freshman squad also battled Warsaw, falling 2-1 in a competitive match. NorthWood took the second set 25-20 after dropping the first 19-25, before Warsaw edged the Panthers 21-19 in the deciding set. NorthWood’s varsity record moves to 12-10 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Panthers return to action Saturday at the Elkhart Mini Tournament.