Battle Mountain saw some fierce competition this past weekend. They hosted a preseason volleyball tournament. Pershing County ’s entire volleyball program competed, both varsity and JV. Varsity played at the high school while JV headed to the junior high.
Varsity girls play seven matches
On Friday, the tournament began in pool play with the Mustangs pitted against Wells, Smith Valley and Owyhee.
“For this tournament we played leagues we wouldn’t normally see in our league play,” said PCHS coach Monica Halverson.
The Mustangs beat Wells (25-16, 25-17) but came up short against Smith Valley (25-24, 17-25, 9-15). They finished the first day of the tournament by beating Owyhee (25-8, 25-15).
On Saturday, the Mustangs knocked off White Pine (25-10, 25-15) to completed play in pool play.
“It was fun playing White Pine again since they left our league for the South 2A two years ago,” said the coach.
In bracket play, Pershing County was on the floor all afternoon, playing four back-to-back matches that got pretty heated. The pace picked up and the rallies got longer.
“I have a special group work well together and create dynamic rallies that are fun to watch,” said Halverson, known to her players as Coach Havs.
The match against Battle Mountain left the spectators breathless.
Pershing County won the first set 25-22 and had match point in the second set, only to see Battle Mountain rally to tie the match at 1-1 with a 27-25 win. The Lady Longhorns opened up a six-point lead in the third set at 8-2. However, the Lady Mustangs completed the comeback.
“We both battled and worked hard,” said the coach.
Next, the Mustangs faced Tonopah and came out on top (25-16, 18-25, 15-6). The Muckers were the top seed from the A pool. They advanced to the culmination of the weekend – the championship game against the Smith Valley Bulldogs, a familiar foe.
“The Bulldogs are tough and our girls tried to take the win but fell short in two sets (25-17, 25-16),” said Halverson. The Mustangs walked away with their heads held high as the runners-up in the tournament. Smith Valley placed first.
The varsity team roster includes two senior captains and outside hitters – Presley Burrows and Aledda Sam. Hannah Montes and Bela Rosas also graduate this spring.Montes is a defensive specialist (DS). Rosas is the team’s most experienced setter (right side).
The juniors include Kaylen Halverson (setter), Kaydance Happy (middle) and Andrea Canchola (libero).
Sophomores Taylor Garland (middle, outside hitter) and Anna Happy are also playing their first full season of volleyball. Happy is a defensive specialist. She will play both JV and varsity.
Freshman Raegan Burrows (setter, right) completes the team.
“I am proud of how my girls fought and played. Each one of them contributed to our successful weekend,” said the coach.
JV girls ‘play scrappy’
The nine-member JV team is mostly made up of sophomores – Jessica Gonzalez (middle, blocker), Madyson Grenz (right side hitter), Anna Happy (setter), Yasmine McKinney (outside hitter), Katie Moore (middle blocker, right side hitter, libero), Kaylee Poffenroth (middle blocker, libero and outside hitter) and Morgan Swindlehurst (middle blocker).
The two freshmen are Aaliyah Allen (outside hitter) and Chelsey Bloom (middle blocker).
The JV girls had a rough start but coach Nancy Meissner noted steady improvement over the two days.
Of the weekend, she said, “They played scrappy and I have high hopes for the team.”
Come to the high school gym on Thursday, Sept. 2, for the Mustang’s match against Oasis Academy. JV starts at 4 p.m. Varsity plays at 5 p.m.
On Friday, Sept. 3, the volleyball force ends the week in Fernley as guests of the Vaqueros. The games start at 4 and 5 p.m.
