Lady Pumas capture first place

Members of the Putnam County Junior High School Lady Pumas pose for a photo with their coach. The Lady Pumas took first place out of eight teams in the recent tournament, defeating Milton Milton Pope, Ottawa Marquette and the previously undefeated Wallace Junior High in three sets. Coach Shannon Jenkins said the girls really worked hard to stay positive and work through rough plays. “The girls never gave up and continued to fight to take the win,” Jenkins said. “Milton Pope and Ottawa Marquette were taken in two sets and Wallace went to three matches. After working through a week of multiple illnesses, the Lady Pumas found their sync. Positive attitudes, hard work, determination and never giving up took the ladies to that first-place trophy.” Pictured (front row, from left) are Gabby Doyle (outside hitter), Megan Wasilewski (setter), Sarah Johnson (libero), Julia Mosqueda (defensive specialist) and Anna Walk (defensive specialist); and (back row) Coach Jenkins, Neveah Goulding (outside hitter), Ava Hatton (setter), Avery Moutray (outside hitter), Kylee Moore (middle hitter), Maggie Richetta (middle hitter), Maggie Spratt (middle hitter) and Lauren Henderson (outside hitter). Not pictured due to illness are Esmeralda Avila (middle/right side hitter), Celina Davenport (right side hitter) and Hailey Cimei (middle hitter/defensive specialist).