Panthers Sweep Orting in Season Opener Behind Fresh Energy of New Coach Millan
- The Insider
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 10
The Bonney Lake Panthers opened their 2025 season in electric fashion Tuesday night, sweeping the visiting Orting Cardinals in front of a packed, all-black student section that turned the home gym into a wall of noise.
For first-year head coach Eva Millan, it was a statement debut. Hired after years coaching with the NPJ system in Auburn and leading international travel teams, Millan brought a new energy to a program that finished 8–13 last fall. Fans described her arrival as “a breath of fresh air,” praising her enthusiasm and the energy she’s infused into the team.
The Cardinals arrived from just down the hill as the more decorated team, 15–7 overall a season ago, 13–2 in district play and a trip to state. But it was Bonney Lake that dictated the pace from the start.
Set One: Panthers Set the Tone
Junior outside hitter Taylin Beers announced herself early, hammering kills that gave the Panthers a 14–7 cushion. Strong serving kept Orting off balance, while setter connections created clean looks for hitters to swing away. Libero Tessa Lee anchored the defense with passes on a dime, turning rallies into points. Orting fought back to 21–20, but Bonney Lake steadied late, closing out the opener 25–23 in front of a roaring student section.
Set Two: Depth on Display
Millan rotated in a fresh lineup, and the Panthers didn’t miss a beat. Their offense flowed through crisp sets and smart swings, while the defense read the court well to neutralize Orting’s attack. The combination of aggressive serving and scrappy digs wore the Cardinals down. Bonney Lake pulled away midway and cruised to a 25–16 win, their team chemistry on full display.
Set Three: Closing with Authority
The third set belonged to the Panthers’ net presence. Freshman Elli Larwig stuffed two straight Orting swings, followed by a block from senior Jada Shipp, sparking a 3–0 start. From there, Bonney Lake’s all-around game took over, serving runs, quick transitions, and relentless defense. The Cardinals kept swinging, but the Panthers had an answer for everything, pulling away to finish the sweep 25–17.
Building Momentum
With only two seniors, Shipp and Ella Szarko, the Panthers lean heavily on a core of juniors: Beers, Kamryn Davisson, Tessa Lee, Lia Predmore, Tessa Rice and Uhler. Sophomore Marley Joseph and three freshmen, Jianna Goodloe, Kaliyah Heng and Elli Larwig, rounded out a rotation that looked deep, energized and confident.
For a community craving momentum, the Black Out opener was more than a win. It was a sign that Bonney Lake volleyball might be turning a corner. If the Panthers can harness the same serving, balance and energy they showed in front of a packed gym on opening night, this team could carve out a new identity in the SPSL 4A.
Final: Bonney Lake 3, Orting 0 (25–23, 25–16, 25–17).
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