The Pershing County High School volleyball team closed out its season this past Friday night at the Northern 2A Regional Championships in Fernley.
The Lady Mustangs lost to the North Tahoe Lakers (27-25, 20-25, 10-25, 25-23 and 15-8.
Taryn Houston, Sydney Jensen, Maggie Baker, Megan Renfroe, Morgan Reid and Faith Moreira graduate this spring. The six girls played their last high school game in Fernley.
But, Makenna Houston, Faith Happy and Colbey Wanner will be back in the fall to lead a new team to another winning season. For now, most of the girls head to the basketball court. Later, they’ll play softball or compete in track and field.
The girls closed their season 12-13 overall and 7-7 in league play.
Lisa Clark and Sarah Haynie stepped up as varsity and JV coaches this year.
Both teams fought hard in the extended five-set match. Each squad showcased skills they developed through months of practice.
“The stats perplexed and disappointed us,” said Clark. “We won in almost every area – (points scored overall, serving percentage and side out percentage) but we came up short because we lost the fourth set and were unable to shut the Lakers down in the fifth.”
North Tahoe led 7-3 in the first set, when Pershing County tied it up at 8-8 following a kill by Baker and an ace from Kati Cerini. The teams traded points to the end with the Lady Mustangs leading 24-23. Pershing County could not capture set point and the Lakers claimed the opening set.
The second set was tied 9-9, when Pershing County went on an 11-4 run and never looked back. It was much of the same in the third set, until Pershing County used a 15-2 run to break a 6-6 tie.
The fourth set was back-and-forth as well, with North Tahoe using a 4-0 run to take a 21-17 lead. That was the largest advantage of the set. The Lakers scored the final two points to send the match to a fifth set.
North Tahoe scored seven of the first eight points of the final set and never looked back. The Lady Mustangs closed within 11-7, but the Lakers ended the match on a 4-1 run.
Among other lessons, high school sports aims to teach resiliency. Throughout the season, the Lady Mustangs bounced back from adversity. They rose to several challenges including lack of height.
“We are a vertically challenged team averaging 5’3’’ without Faith Happy, our six-footer.” said Clark. “But our girls played with heart and fire against teams averaging 5’ 8’’ and 5’ 10.’’ They never used their height as an excuse but as a springboard to work harder and smarter.”
Sprains and stomach flu tested Pershing County's resolve in the opening game of the regional.
“It seemed like the universe was against us,” said Clark.
First, Happy suffered a sprained ankle. Then, sickness struck Makenna and Taryn Houston.
“Both Taryn and Makenna showed incredible heart and resilience by putting themselves on the court,” said Clark.
Jensen and Wanner each had four aces. Cerini stepped up from JV to add three more. In addition, Jensen finished with 11 kills, Wanner added nine and Baker five. Renfroe had three blocks and Cerini and Wanner each added one more.
Baker contributed 18 assists, Wanner added one and Houston added 37 digs and Jensen had 34.
“With all of our setbacks I am proud of the girls,” said Clark. “I can’t wait to watch and support them in their next adventures.”
