For the first time since 2019, Excelsior Springs can claim a winning season in varsity volleyball. That season ended Oct. 18 with a road loss to Oak Grove in the Class 3 District 15 Tournament semifinals, as the Panthers downed the Tigers in the bestof- five match 3-1. The defeat dashed Excelsior Springs’ hopes of avenging a regular-season loss to Oak Grove and of appearing in a second straight district title match. Oak Grove took the first set 25-18. The Tigers answered with a 25-16 win. The Panthers cruised 25-11 in the third set and then edged the Tigers 25-23 in a back-and-forth fourth set to advance to the championship match. Oak Grove fell to Odessa 3-0 Oct. 19 at Oak Grove in the title match. Senior Reagan Block led the Tigers (14-12) offensively in their finale with 15 kills. Other contributors on offense included senior Baylee O’Dell with eight kills and senior Alani Price with seven. Defensively, senior Carly Dolt led the way with 22 digs, followed by Price with 21,…