Sophomore libero Arya Garland controls the back court at Pershing’s homecoming game against Oasis Academy.
Last week, the Pershing County High School volleyball beat West Wendover 26-24, 25-16, 25-16 and Oasis Academy 25-14, 25-14, 25-21 at home.
On Saturday, the Mustangs swept Silver Stage 29-27, 25-17, 25-10 on the road. Pershing County has played every team in the conference without losing a game.
Coach Monica Halverson noted that Pershing County started out flat against West Wendover.
The Wolverines capitalized on the Mustang’s missed serves and miscommunications.
“But after coming together on the court and bench, the Mustangs decided to clean it up and start playing some volleyball. I loved the constant talk on the court and the girls helping each other out,” she said.
Laura Gomez had a dig. Emma Blondheim had three. Kenya Vaughan had two kills and a dig. Raegan Burrows had an ace, 28 kills and 43 digs.
Pershing County senior Aaliyah Allen keeps the ball in play against Oasis.
Arya Garland had 38 digs. Khloe Montes had four aces, six kills and 23 digs.
Kyra Cerini had an ace, five kills, two assisted blocks, an assist and three digs. Aaliyah Allen had three aces, a kill. five assists and six digs.
Mia Canchola had 20 assists. Jaymie George had an ace serve, 14 assists and six digs.
An enthusiastic homecoming crowd helped fire up Wednesday’s game against Oasis Academy. This time, the Mustangs came out focused and ready to play but had a sluggish third set.
“We got a little comfortable and didn’t move our feet enough, made hitting errors and miscommunicated. But the girls played tough and won,” Halverson said. “Emma Blondheim had a huge defensive game with 10 digs as she came in strong for Khloe Montes in the back court.”
Burrows had six aces, seven kills and 30 digs. Vaughan had two kills and four digs.
Cerini had an ace, two kills and two digs. Allen had three aces, three kills and three digs. Garland had two aces, a backrow kill, an assist and 33 digs.
Saturday, Pershing County traveled to Silver Stage High School. Coach Halverson changed the starting lineup due to a missing player, but the results were not as she hoped.
“It was not our best performance,” she said. “The girls were flat and not calling the ball. The Nighthawks came out swinging and challenged our players. In the second and third set, we went back to our normal lineup. The girls instantly felt calmed, and their play reflected that. Coaches are learning and growing right alongside their teams,” she said.
Blondheim had three digs. Burrows added two aces, 27 kills and 30 digs. Garland had two aces and 34 digs.
George led the team in assists with 15. Allen had three aces, six kills, an assist and 10 digs.
Cerini had three aces, six kills, an assist and two digs. Montes had four aces, two kills, an assist and 20 digs.
“Laura Gomez stepped into the middle position and got two kills off being super aggressive at the net and quick tipping an overpass from the Nighthawks. I love her progress and her ability to be that utility player- which typically plays any position on the floor,” Halverson said.
This Friday, is Pershing County’s annual Dig Pink event. It will feature a bake sale and silent auction held in a PCHS gym decked out in pink.
The festive atmosphere will provide a backdrop for the team Pershing County loves to watch.
Pershing JV plays Sierra Lutheran at 4 p.m. Varsity plays them at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, they’ll hit the road to play Incline. It will be Pershing County’s second rendezvous of the year with the Highlanders. Earlier this month, the Mustangs beat them 3-2.