The Pershing County volleyball girls got a workout the past two weekends.
The varsity team, coached by Monica Halverson, competed in the Yerington Invitational Aug. 23-24.
The JV team, coached by Nancy Meissner, joined in at the Battle Mountain Tournament on Aug. 30-31.
Halverson’s preseason roster consists of four seniors, a junior and three sophomores.
Kaelyn Castro, Daralyn Moura (captain), Alyssa Montes and Makenna Houston played the final preseason volleyball tournaments of their high school years.They’ll graduate this spring.
Josie Crim represented the junior class. Presley Burrows, Aledda Sam and Alayna Godinez are sophomores.
“We are a small group, but we are mighty in heart and hustle,” says Halverson. “That’s what sets us apart.”
In Yerington, Pershing County played Smith Valley, Wooster, Fallon and ROP.
“This was the first time my team stepped into their roles on the court,” said the coach. “We had some amazing plays and won some sets. In Battle Mountain we started out playing Wells and came out flat.,”
Next, Pershing County played Beatty and White Pine.
“We wanted to play White Pine hard,” said the coach.
Pershing County travels to Ely to face the Ladycats in a league contest on Friday.
The Lovelock team began to gel the second day of the Battle Mountain tournament, said the coach.
The varsity girls knocked off Smith Valley and went toe to toe with Battle Mountain.
Pershing County made it to the semifinals but fell to the Smith Valley.
“As a coach, the preseason tournaments help me get the girls in the spots I want them to play in,” said Halverson.
Moura stood out as libero and took control of the backcourt on defense, said the coach.
Burrows and Houston had consistent hits at the net. Crim continues to improve as a setter.
“I already see tremendous growth in Josie,” said Halverson. “She had a lot to prove and make happen as the setter.”
Now the JV and varsity volleyball girls open their regular seasons. From Ely, they’ll head to West Wendover on Saturday, Sept. 7.
“I can’t wait to see what this team can accomplish during league play,” said Halverson. “We’re focused and ready for some awesome volleyball this season.”
The girls travel to North Tahoe on Saturday, Sept. 11. They’ll host their first home game on Wednesday, Sept. 18, against Silver Stage. JV plays at 4 p.m. The varsity follows at 5 p.m.
