DELAVAN — The Delavan Varsity Panthers showed the heart of a champion Tuesday night at their season home-opener, overcoming a slow start and a late deficit to defeat the Havana Ducks in a dramatic three-set match, 23-25, 25-16, 28-26.

After dropping a tightly contested opening set, Delavan found its rhythm in the second and then dug deep in the third, surviving a back-and-forth battle that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final point.

The Panthers were led by the outstanding play of co-captain Addison Fisher and veteran Kara Lowry. Fisher filled the stat sheet with nine digs, seven aces, and five kills, while Lowry anchored the defense with 21 digs and added seven kills of her own.

Still, the numbers only tell part of the story.

The opening set saw Delavan struggle to establish consistency as Havana capitalized on opportunities to claim a 25-23 win. The Panthers responded with renewed energy in the second set. Better communication, stronger serving and an aggressive defense effort helped Delavan take control early. The Panthers steadily widened the gap and cruised to a 25-16 victory, setting the stage for a decisive third set.

What followed was a showcase of resilience.

The teams traded points throughout the final set, neither side able to gain lasting separation. With Havana leading 22-19 late in the game, momentum appeared firmly on the Ducks’ side. Havana continued to land points, and Delavan suddenly found itself staring at the possibility of letting the match slip away.

Instead, the Panthers answered.

Freshman standout Tenley Burrell, one of the newest members of the varsity squad, stepped to the service line and helped spark the comeback. Her serves were controlled and deliberate, finding their marks like a precision guided missile. Burrell opened the rally with a point that gave Delavan life and reminded everyone that the Panthers were not finished.

Lowry followed with two more points, helping cut into the deficit and bringing Delavan within striking distance. Her poise and experience proved invaluable as the pressure mounted and every serve carried enormous significance.

From there, the match settled into a tense point-for-point showdown. Every rally seemed longer than the last. Every mistake felt magnified. Neither team was willing to blink.

Then Fisher took center stage.

With the score tied in the final moments and the atmosphere electric, the Panthers’ co-captain stepped to the service line. Surveying Havana’s defensive alignment, Fisher spotted an opening and delivered a perfectly placed serve that dropped untouched into an empty spot on the Ducks’ side of the court. The ace gave Delavan a 27-26 advantage and brought the Panthers within a single point of victory.

Back on the line, Fisher delivered again.

Her final serve crossed the net with a vengence, forcing the Ducks into an impossible reception. Havana was unable to mount a return volley, and the match was over.

The Panthers bleachers erupted in a deafening celebration after completing the comeback and securing the hard-fought win. For a team that refused to quit when the odds seemed stacked against it, the victory was a testament to determination, leadership, and the belief that no deficit is too large to overcome.