The PCHS volleyball team poses for a photo after their last practice before the regionals. Left to right back row - Kenya Vaughan, Emma Blondheim, Magdalena Ramirez, Kyra Cerini, Alexa Watson, Khloe Montes, Mia Canchola, Laura Gomez, Jaymie George, Katelynn Elerick, Whitlee Diaz and Chealse Woodard. Front row - Aaliyah Allen and Arya Garland
Last Saturday, the Pershing County High School volleyball team traveled to Incline Village for the Northern 2A Regional Championship with a bid to the state tournament at berth.
The undefeated (18-0) Mustangs entered as the No. 1 seed.
On Friday, Incline beat Battle Mountain in three sets so the Highlanders and Mustangs faced each other on Saturday.
It was a tight contest with Incline taking the win in five sets 25-23, 16-25, 25-20, 20-25, 9-15.
It was the last regional volleyball tournament for Raegan Burrows and Aaliyah Allen. They graduate this spring.
The Northern 2A recently recognized their efforts by naming Burrows MVP and awarding Allen an Honorable Mention. Basketball and softball are still ahead for the athletic duo. Arya Garland and Khloe Montes made the first team.
Jaymie George received an Honorable Mention. Monica Halverson is the Coach of the Year.
The Highlanders raced into the gym hungry for revenge for the two games they lost to the Mustangs in the regular season. They also benefited from the home court advantage. But the Mustang’s fans were as loud and loyal as ever. They were easy to spot in their school colors of red and black.
“We love our fans and are thankful they made the trip to Incline to support us,” Halverson said.
Five JV girls stepped up to varsity for the playoffs — Katelynn Elerick, Chealse Woodard, Alexa Watson, Whitlee Diaz and Magdalena Ramirez.
They joined Burrows, Allen, Garland, Montes, George, Kenya Vaughan, Emma Blondheim, Kyra Cerini, Mia Canchola and Laura Gomez.
Halverson says the Mustangs started each set with energy and teamwork. They won the first set by two points by battling for each point.
But in the second set, Incline’s hits displaced their defense and errors piled up for Lovelock. The Mustang’s serving took a hit. They lost the second set by several points.
“We didn’t hang our heads,” said the coach.
Instead, they came out of their team huddle determined to come together and work the court.
“It was an awesome third set and the girls played tough. They kept the lead and played hard by not letting the ball hit the ground. There were lots of digs with players running into the bleachers and home bench,” she said.
Pershing County won the third set by five hard fought points but ran into trouble in the fourth set, losing by five.
“Miscommunication, not following the ball to the line and missed serves added up to Incline tying up the match 2-2.,” Halverson said.
The teams entered the fourth set of the high stakes game with an equal shot at a win. The gym imploded with tension.
“We knew it was win or go home. It all came down to the last set,” the coach said. “We came out strong. We led the first half of the set. Then they started tipping and found ways to cause chaos for our defense. Their hitters were on fire. Our errors played against us and we lost.”
Burrows had 52 digs, along with an ace, 13 kills and two solo blocks.
Allen, playing the right side, had a kill, two assists and 15 digs.
Garland led the team in digs with 61, She also had two aces and a back row kill.
Montes had two ace serves, six kills and 37 digs. Cerini had an ace, six kills, a solo block, an assist and four digs.
Canchola added a kill, 16 assists and a dig. George had four assists and nine digs. Vaughan had two digs.
“It is bittersweet to lose in the playoffs because each one of those girls have worked so hard. I’m proud of them and the team they created during the season. They grew as individuals with goals of their own. And they came together as a volleyball family by the end. We have no reason to be too down because of the wonderful things they developed during the season. We had a great season with lots of learning moments, this one being the biggest. We’ll come back swinging next year. Mark my words,” she said.