Do you dig pink? The PCHS volleyball team hosted the Silver Stage Nighthawks on Saturday, Oct. 16. The JV and varsity girls wore pink tee-shirts and socks. Balloons, baked goods, a silent auction and a cake raffle added to the fun. It was the volleyball program’s Dig Pink fundraiser.
The JV girls did not get to play but were a big part of the goings-on.
Before the game, the nine varsity players stood together on the court. One by one, each girl tossed a ball to a family member in a gesture of gratitude. Coach Monica Halverson caught her daughter Kaylen’s.
Beating Silver Stage in three sets (25-11, 25-9, 26-24) was icing on the cake.
After the game, five teams of locals competed in a 4’s tournament. The volleyball program raised $500 for a Lovelock family going through a health crisis.
The game got off to a slow start as Stage struggled to find their footing.
“We played tough and at our level,” said Halverson. The third set, Silver Stage came on the court with an attitude-adjustment.
“The Nighthawks finally decided to play and made us quicker on our feet for defense and serve receive,” said Halverson. The score tied up several times in the third set. Pershing County came out on top by two points.
The Silver Stage game was Pershing’s second competition of the week. On Friday, Oct. 15, they traveled to Lion territory to face Yerington, the defending state champions. Lovelock walked away with a 3-2 win after a game that heated up the gym.
“We had an amazing defensive game with hardly any balls hitting the ground,” said Halverson. “Winning Yerington is huge for us. To beat them during homecoming on their home court speaks volumes about my team and how they came to take down a powerhouse.”
Despite missing Aledda Sam and Hannah Montes, the Mustangs pulled together as a unit. Presley and Raegan Burrows, Kaydance Happy, Taylor Garland and Kaylen Halverson delivered solid hits, according to the coach.
Kaylen Halverson’s 24 assists paved the way for Presley Burrow’s 28 kills. Rosas had 13 digs and 16 assists. The scores were close (25-21, 23-21, 27-25, 23-25 and 15-3) but Pershing seized the win.
The JV girls lost to Yerington JV (17-25, 7-25, 19-25). However, according to coach Nancy Meissner they continue to improve.
Aaliyah Allen led the attack with seven hitting kills. Anna Happy plays both varsity and JV. She had 12 assists. The top passers were Allen, Happy, Yasmine McKinney and Jessica Gonzalez.
On Friday, the Mustangs host rival school Battle Mountain. JV plays at 4 p.m. and the varsity follows at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, the Mustangs host West Wendover at 11 a.m. and noon for Pershing’s senior celebration game. They’ll honor Presley Burrows, Aledda Sam, Bela Rosas and Hannah Montes.
