The Pershing County Mustangs volleyball team had an eventful week on the court. Friday, they pummeled Battle Mountain in three sets, 25-4, 25-15, 25-13. On Saturday, they beat West Wendover 25-14, 25-16, 25-13.
With the wins, the Mustangs (9-3) stand third in the 2A league, behind Incline (12-0) and Yerington (10-3). The Mustangs lost to Incline twice and Yerington once.
However, Pershing County came back and beat Yerington in Lion country on Oct. 15. The Lions are the reigning state champions so the win boosted Mustang’s confidence. They exuded strength as they walked onto their home court Friday and Saturday.
Pershing beats rival Battle Mountain
Friday, Presley Burrows led the attack against the Longhorns with 25 kills. She’s known throughout the league for her hard and accurate hits. Other kills came from Kaydance Happy (6), Kaylen Halverson (1), Taylor Garland (2) and Raegan Burrows (1).
Community feeling ran high through both the JV and varsity games, Fans packed the gym in support of JV player KayLee Poffenroth.
The volleyball program also gave the Brinker family a check for $500 to defray costs for Jeremiah Brinker’s medical treatment. They raised the money from their Dig Pink event the previous weekend.
“My team played really well when they needed to,” said Coach Monica Halverson.
Mustangs knock off West Wendover
Coach Halverson describes West Wendover as “a scrappy team with talented defensive players.” She says they “came out swinging on Saturday.” They even found ways to dig up Presley Burrow’s hard and accurate hits. Ultimately, Lovelock prevailed.
It was senior game day for PCHS. Presley Burrows (12), Bela Rosas (2) and Hannah Montes (3) played the last home game of their high school years. Aledda Sam (13) cheered from the sidelines due to an injury.
Each player stood on center court with their loved ones as counselor Matt Schottel introduced them.
Burrows plans to play college volleyball, get a degree in ag business and become a crop-dusting pilot.
One of Sam’s favorite memories was placing second in the Battle Mountain tournament during preseason. Montes’s heroes are her parents.
Rosas advised student athletes not to take anything for granted. “Even though you get four years of sports, it flies by.”
“It hits you in the feels,” said Coach Halverson. “I’m proud of my team for their focus on playing good volleyball, growing together as a team and making each point count.”
The Mustangs finish their regular season in Reno on Thursday Oct. 28 against Coral Academy.
Next, come the playoffs in Battle Mountain Nov. 5 and 6. The top six teams will compete for spots at the state competition Nov. 12 and 13.
The winner of this year’s championship will seize their trophy in the south at Faith Lutheran High School. Could the Pershing County Mustangs have a volleyball title in their future?
JV volleyball splits matches
Friday, the JV volleyball team lost to Battle Mountain (21-25, 18-25).They beat West Wendover on Saturday (25-23, 25-22).
“I’m proud of the girls and how hard they worked to win this game,” said coach Nancy Meissner after the team defeated West Wendover.
Poffenroth scored an ace and four points. Aaliyah Allen led the attack with eight hitting kills and one tip kill. Top passers included Allen, Yasmine McKinney, Mady Grenz, Katie Moore and Morgan Swindlehurst.
