Van Nuys Pulls Together to Defeat Sylmar in 4 Games : Girls’ volleyball: Individualism makes for rugged beginning for Wolves, who regroup in Valley Pac-8 Conference opener.

An individual approach by the Van Nuys High girls’ volleyball team gave way to a team effort Wednesday and the result was a 12-15, 15-5, 15-12, 15-2 victory over Sylmar in a Valley Pac-8 Conference opener at Van Nuys.

Spurred by Jenna Panatier with 27 kills, outstanding setting by Connie Chae (34 assists) and solid net play by Susie Chambers (seven blocks), the Wolves (4-0) recovered from a slow start and a 12-8 deficit in the third game.

“In the beginning, we had six minds,” said Panatier, a 6-foot junior outside hitter. “We were trying to play as individuals instead of as a team.”

But losing the first game got the Wolves’ attention.

“When we get fired up, it brings us back together,” Panatier said.

Said Coach David Bessler: “We started going to our strengths after the first game.”

On offense, Van Nuys’ strength was Panatier, who was nearly unstoppable. Showing few signs of recent trouble with tendinitis in her right knee, Panatier made only three hitting errors, and very few of her spikes were retrieved by the Sylmar defense.

“We knew who they were going to go to,” Sylmar Coach Bob Thompson said. “We just didn’t do what we needed to do on defense.”

Still, the result might have been different had the gritty Spartans (3-1) held on in game three. But after building a 12-8 lead, Sylmar fell apart and lost 22 of the final 24 points.

“We lost our confidence completely,” Thompson said. “We didn’t take advantage of a lot of opportunities. We were not consistent enough. There were too many peaks and valleys.”

Outside hitter Araceli Rodriguez provided most of the highlights for Sylmar, recording a team-high 10 kills.

Sylmar was also effective from the service line with 15 aces. Theresa Martinez and Brandy Hebner each contributed four aces.