Raegan Burrows goes up for a solid tip against an attempted block from Yerington.
Pershing County High School volleyball fans are still hoarse from shouting for their team in what turned out to be a battle to the final point.
Pershing County lost to Yerington in five sets (16-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 21-23) last Wednesday at Pershing County High School.
"I will remember this game for the rest of my coaching career," said coach Monica Halverson. "It was so much fun."
On Saturday the Mustangs hosted North Tahoe and lost in four sets (25-22, 16-25, 10-25, 15-25). The girls now stand fourth in 2A at 5-7, overall, and 4-3 in the league.
Aaliyah Allen makes contact with the right side as her team comes behind her to cover.
Mustangs and Lions game goes "though the roof"
The last two sets of Saturday's game were back-and-forth with the points never far apart. Lovelock fans got dizzy watching the score fluctuate.
"Yerington has always had a great program and this game proved that we can run with them. They are probably our main rival so it was exciting to see some great competitive volleyball from both teams," said Halverson.
"As with most coaches, to me, it's an acceptable loss when your players fight to the bitter end and leave nothing on the court."
As any in attendance would tell you, both teams accomplished that feat.
Kenya Vaughan had one dig. Yasmine McKinney added an ace, six kills, a solo block and four digs.
"Raegan Burrows had a huge game and impressive stats both offensively and defensively," said Halverson. She totaled two aces, 18 kills, and 28 digs. Taylor Garland had seven aces, five kills, two solo blocks and 25 digs.
Anna Happy added two aces, 25 assists and 10 digs. Arya Garland had two aces, a kill, and led the team in digs (30). Kyra Cerini had two aces and a kill.
Mia Canchola had three aces. "Mia has improved so much this season and is taking on more responsibility as a competitive server and opposite hitter," said Halverson.
Yasmine McKinney gets ready to block the ball as the Yerington setter decides where to put it
Tables turn on Mustangs as North Tahoe seizes the win
The coach says the Mustangs started where they left off against Yerington, fighting for every point. Unfortunately, she adds, they lost their edge as the game progressed.
"We dominated the flow of the game and quickly got the Lakers out of system," she said. "Emotions on the court were like a pendulum as the girls tried to fight back but lost focus the second through fourth sets."
Yasmine McKinney had an ace, three kills and one dig. Raegan Burrows added an ace, 13 kills and 28 digs.
Taylor Garland had two aces, four kills and 26 digs. Anna Happy added two aces, 19 assists and one dig.
Arya Garland had 21 digs. Kyra Cerini had an ace. KayLee Poffenroth added an ace and two digs.
"The girls will be more focused when we head up to North Tahoe in October because I know they can play as hard as they did in the first set," said Halverson.
What's next?
This Friday, they play Battle Mountain at BMHS. Saturday, they travel to West Wendover. Homecoming Week follows with Lovelock hosting Oasis on Wednesday and Silver Stage on Saturday.
But first, the girls take on the Longhorns and Wolverines this weekend. The coach is optimistic.
"I know they can play hard and secure two wins but they must earn it and play to win," she said.