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Parry McCluer High School closed out the regular season with two more Pioneer District volleyball victories, topping district leader Bath County 3-1 and sweeping Craig County.
The Fighting Blues enter this week’s Pioneer District tournament with an 8-8 overall record and an 8-2 mark in district play. PM has won seven straight matches against Pioneer foes, and the Blues’ only blemish since late September is a 3-0 nondistrict loss at Amherst County on Oct. 9.
PM has secured the No. 2 seed in the Pioneer District bracket. The Blues had a bye in the quarterfinals and were slated to play host to either third-seeded Eastern Montgomery or sixth-seeded Highland County in the semifinal round on Tuesday, and both the championship and consolation matches are scheduled for Thursday. Visit www.thenews-gazette.com for details on Tuesday’s semifinal result and Thursday’s Pioneer tournament schedule.
Last Tuesday, PM handed the Chargers (15-5 overall, 9-1 Pioneer District) their first league loss of the season, claiming a 25-15, 25-21, 9-25, 25-22 victory in Hot Springs.
Three Blues posted double-doubles in the contest. Kadence Zollman racked up 14 kills and 19 digs to go along with six blocks and five aces, while Sydney Mahaffey notched 10 kills, 15 digs and three aces, and Natalie Mohler tallied 16 assists and 11 digs. Keely Mahaffey also finished with 16 assists for PM.
“The girls really stepped it up and attacked with everything they had,” PM head coach Jessie Moala said. “Natalie and Keely did a great job of placing and moving the ball to the optimum place to make a play happen, and our hitters were there to follow through.”
The Blues had a chance to beat Bath when the teams met in Buena Vista on Sept. 21, going in front 2-0 in the match, but the Chargers rallied for a 3-2 win.
PM hasn’t lost to a district opponent since. During their current seven-match Pioneer District winning streak, the Blues also avenged their other defeat by claiming a 3-0 home victory over Eastern Montgomery on Oct. 5.
“Tuesday’s win was huge for us confidence- wise,” Moala said. “Going into tournament play knowing we’ve beaten each team is a huge motivator.”
And the Blues’ run of success isn’t coincidental. After taking some lumps during a tough early-season schedule – and as six newcomers on its 11-player roster became acclimated to the varsity level – PM has rounded into form at exactly the right time.
“The girls are really gelling together and connecting,” Moala said. “As a coach, this is exactly what you want to see and when you want to see it.”
PM 3, CC 0
PM coasted to a 3-0 victory over Craig County in New Castle in the regular-season finale on Thursday.
Zollman posted nine kills and served up 11 aces to guide the Blues to a 25-12, 2516, 25-17 victory over the Rockets (1-13, 1-9). Mohler totaled 10 assists, and Keely Mahaffey added eight assists.
