The Bonney Lake High volleyball squad prevailed in a pair of five-set matches last week, beating Peninsula and Auburn Mountainview to elevate its South Puget Sound League 3A mark to 3-0 and secure its front-running status.

The Panther spikers trekked to Peninsula High and went ahead 13-25, 27-25, 25-17, 10-25 and finally clinched the match, winning 3-of-5 in sudden death with a nail-biting 16-14 defeat of the Seahawks.

Ashtyn Bagby accounted for 39 assists and 17 digs while Danielle Norton and Nicole Rack combined for 40 digs to keep numerous rallies alive.

The Panthers found themselves in unfriendly territory when they rode the bus to Auburn Mountainview, winning 19-25, 26-24, 25-19, 9-25 and in the deciding set 15-12.

Bagby turned in another good night with 52 assists and Norton and Rack helped maintain Bonney Lake’s untarnished league mark, teaming up  for nearly 50 digs.

“Top to bottom we play in an amazingly competitive league,” longtime Bonney Lake coach Shirley Baker said, “but I can’t say that I am surprised we were able to pull one out on the road against Auburn Mountainview. We have a very talented team.”

The Pantehers are 11-1 overall, having lost only to Spanaway Lake in nonleague play.

The grueling road schedule doesn’t get easier this week. The Panthers welcomed a mediocre Decatur High crew Tuesday night and will travel to Enumclaw High Thursday.