The Pershing County volleyball team beat North Tahoe on the road after losing to Yerington and Incline at home.
The week started at PCHS on Wednesday with a loss to the Yerington in three sets, 25-20, 25-12, 25-14. On Friday, the girls were back on their home court for a close contest against the Incline Highlanders. The Mustangs won the first two sets but lost the last three (25-18, 25-17, 17-25, 20-25, 11-15).
On Saturday, the Lovelock girls traveled to North Tahoe and pulled off a win. They lost the first set by two points, but won the next three (25-27, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20).
The Mustangs currently stand at 3-7 overall and 1-2 in the 2A North.
For their first home game of the 2021-22 season, the Mustangs hosted the Yerington Lions. Unfortunately, Pershing County’s Aledda Sam hurt her knee in the first set and was out for the rest of the week.
“Aledda is every coach’s dream,” said head coach Monica Halverson. “She is a true leader on and off the court and leads by example. Her play and her presence makes you want to play better for the team. Her getting hurt shook us.”
The Mustangs came out against Incline with solid intensity. Presley and Raegan Burrows, Andrea Canchola, Taylor Garland, Kaylen Halverson, Anna Happy, Hannah Montes and Mireya Rosas pulled out all the stops with teamwork and power plays. Sam watched from the bench, celebrating each point with her team.
The Burrows sisters will have one season of high school volleyball together. Raegan is a freshman. Presley graduates this spring. “I’m over the moon,” said their mother, Amanda Burrows, during a break from line judging.
Incline shifted its lineup in the third set, pitting its best hitter against the Mustang’s shorter blockers in the front row. They pushed the Mustangs into several forced errors and seized the win.
Sam traveled to North Tahoe with the Mustangs and watched them beat the Lakers.
In their third game of the week, the Mustangs pushed through their pain and fatigue. Presley Burrows led the attack with 19 kills.
“We came out flat but slowly got better,” said their coach. “Our team needed this win to build the confidence that we can finish games and win. I still believe my team can get to Las Vegas for the state championships. To do that, they’re committed to working hard in practice to playing even harder during the games.”
“Thanks to all the parents and families that travel to support us on the road,” she added. “It makes a huge difference when we play.”
Pershing JV
opens the action
The nine-member JV team consists mostly of sophomores – 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), Morgan Swindlehurst (middle blocker) and Jessica Gonzalez (middle blocker).
Outside hitters Aaliyah Allen and Chelsey Bloom are both freshmen. The girls lost to Yerington JV (25-19, 25-14), Incline JV (25-18, 25-17) and North Tahoe (25-16, 25-19). However, Coach Nancy Meissner remains pleased with their progress.
Allen had five hitting kills and two tip kills against Yerington JV. McKinney had one hitting kill and one tip kill.
Against Incline JV, Swindlehurst had two hitting kills. Happy, McKinney and Allen each had one hitting kill.
Allen had four hitting kills and one tip kill against Tahoe JV. McKinney, Happy and Swindlehurst each had one hitting kill.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, the volleyball force travels to Battle Mountain to play the Longhorns. Friday, Sept. 24, they go to West Wendover to compete against the Wolverines. JV opens both games at 4 p.m. Varsity follows at 5 p.m.
The Mustangs will be back on their home court on Wednesday, Sept. 29, to host the Coral Academy Falcons at 4 p.m. And 5 p.m.
