Raegan Burrows (3) leaps to the net backed by Aaliyah Allen (14) and Kyra Cerini (12).
Last week, the Pershing County High School volleyball swept Battle Mountain 25-18, 25-19, 25-22 and West Wendover 26-24, 25-16, 25-16, bringing the Mustangs’ Northern 2A record to 9-0.
Pershing County played the first of two homecoming week games against Oasis Academy on Wednesday. Results were not available at press time.
The Longhorn/Mustang contest generated excitement with packed stands and raucous student sections in the PCHS gym.
Pershing County coach Monica Halverson said every player on her team contributed both during the game and practice.
"They are gelling on and off the court, which makes a deadly combination to play against. Battle Mountain had some key blocks that could have stopped my front row hitters (Raegan Burrows, Khloe Montes, Kyra Cerini, Kenya Vaughan, Mia Canchola and Aaliyah Allen), but they kept their focus and found ways around the block," she said.
Khloe Montes (7) covers the court on defense with Mia Canchola (13), Kyra Cerini (12), Aaliyah Allen (14) and Arya Garland (4).
The coach described Jaymie George as "the setter with vision. She did an amazing job positioning herself to set up our offense with the best options possible."
Vaughan and Laura Gomez each had two digs. Burrows had 23 kills, a block and 29 digs.
Libero Arya Garland added a back row kill and 36 digs. Montes had two aces, four kills and 29 digs.
Canchola added three kills and seven assists. Allen had an ace, four kills, an assist and 17 digs.
The team celebrated the win Mustang style. After they belted out the school song, AD Mike Brooks led all the student athletes in football jumping jacks.
"It was the perfect ending to a perfect win," Halverson said.
Pershing County’s energy level dropped against the visiting West Wendover Wolverines on Saturday, according to the coach.
But, with teamwork, the Mustangs rallied and pulled off the win in three sets.
"We started off with no energy and let the Wolverines force us into making mistakes on our passing and serve receiving. The score was 0-6 before we showed up to play. Even though the game didn't ooze with excitement, good things happened on the court."
Emma Blondheim had two digs. Vaughan had an ace, two kills, an assist and a dig. Burrows had an ace, 38 kills and 41 digs. Garland had 38 digs and a solid serving game.
Gomez had a dig and an assist. Montes added four aces, six kills and 23 digs. Cerini had two blocks, five aggressive kills, an assist and three digs.
Canchola had a record 20 assists against the Wolverines.
Allen added three aces, a kill, five assists and 22 digs. George had an ace, 14 assists and six digs.
"It's amazing to see my players be so multi-talented and aggressive in many different scenarios. I'm optimistic we will continue to work hard and earn our wins as a team throughout the rest of our league play," Halverson said.
On Saturday, Pershing County travels to Silver Spring to play the Silver Stage Nighthawks.
Game time has been changed to 9:30 a.m. (JV) and 10:30 a.m. (varsity) to accommodate the many homecoming activities.