On Tuesday, March 9, the Pershing County Mustangs hosted the Battle Mountain Longhorns.
It was Pershing County’s first home game of the season.
A limited number of spectators sat at the top of the bleachers, roped off with yellow emergency tape.
Each team member had a four admission tickets to distribute as they chose.
Pershing County lost three out of five sets (26-24), (19-25), (25-10), (16-25) and (8-15).
However, the girls went toe to toe with their opponents in the fast-paced game. According to coach Monica Halverson, the Mustangs played better than they have in years.
“Coming off a beating from the Yerington Lions the weekend before, we needed the confidence booster,” she said. “My team is jelling and trusting each other on the court.”
Presley Burrows had six kills and four ace serves. Cheyeanne Diaz added three kills and a dig.
Aledda Sam had five kills. Kaylen Halverson contributed eight assists and a dig.
The Mustangs used the loss as a learning experience to focus their practice. Their efforts paid off with the first win of the year. On Friday, Mar. 12, the girls traveled to West Wendover, a four-hour bus ride with one stop each way due to Covid protocols.
“When we got to the school, we had to get moving because of sitting for so many hours,” said the coach. “We came out confident with the team goal to win in three sets and be done.” The Mustangs beat Wendover (25-12), (25-13) and (17-25).
Burrows had 13 kills, two ace serves and a dig. Sam added four kills. Senicka Happy had two ace serves.
Halverson contributed one ace serve, 15 assists and one tip kill. Kaydance Happy added two ace serves and six kills.
“I had a couple of girls who were under the weather, so we had to rally around each other to win,” said Halverson. “We played solid and together as a team.”
On Tuesday March 16, the Mustangs traveled to the Silver State Volleyball Club in Reno to play Coral Academy. Results were not available at press time.
The JV girls are also working diligently. Seven freshmen make up the team: Taylor Garland, Anna Happy, Yasmine McKinney, Madyson Grenz, Kaitlyn Moore, Kaylee Poffenroth and Morgan Swindlehurst.
“Even though our players are struggling some, they are learning,” said coach Nancy Meissner. “Each one has a specific goal they are working on to be better player and teammate. Their serving has improved, and they are consciously trying to set the ball up for passes, sets or kills.”
The Pershing County JV fought hard against Battle Mountain but dropped the game in two sets, although the second one was close (25-11) (25-21).
“Being a true freshman team, this was their first long bus ride and it took a toll physically and mentally,” said Halverson about the JV girls loss to West Wendover (25-11) (25-11). “They had no subs.
Games like this can help them work on their mental toughness. It was not pretty, but it was a learning experience.”
What’s next for the Mustangs? On Saturday, they’ll go to Incline Village to play the Highlanders. Tuesday, March 23, they’re on the road against Silver Stage.
Their next home game is on Friday, March 26, against Yerington. JV starts at 4 p.m. Varsity plays at 5 p.m.
