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The Rockbridge County High School volleyball team earned its first victory of the season by claiming a tight 3-0 contest against rival Parry McCluer in Lexington on Monday evening.
Geneva Snyder tallied 18 kills and 14 digs to lead the Wildcats (1-4) to a 25-20, 25-22, 25-21 victory. Maisen Mckemy tallied 30 assists, nine digs and three service aces for RC, while Mackenzie McCormick chipped in seven kills, four aces and two blocks and Rebekah Allen totaled 21 digs.
Keely Mahaffey paced the Fighting Blues (3-2) with eight kills and 13 digs, and she also notched a pair of blocks. Allie Cullen also recorded 13 digs for PM, which had beaten the Wildcats 3-1 in the season opener in Buena Vista on Aug. 27.
RC used big runs in all three sets to avenge the earlier defeat. In the opening stanza, a 7-2 stretch gave the Wildcats a 16-11 edge, and a later 6-2 spurt -- capped off by three straight kills from Snyder -- put the frame out of reach at 24-17.
The Blues jumped out to a 6-2 advantage in the second set and later led by a 10-6 count. But the 'Cats reeled off eight unanswered points -- including three more Snyder kills and a pair of Mckemy aces -- and they would assume a 14-10 advantage on a block from Jada Hamilton and Emmy Duff. RC wouldn't relinquish that lead in securing a 2-0 advantage in the match.
After PM went ahead 11-6 in the third set, the Wildcats turned things around with an even lengthier run -- this time a 15-1 spurt. The latter part of that stretch including three aces and eight straight service points from McCormick.
Despite falling behind 21-12, the Blues showed some resolve with a late rally. They also played some of their best offense in the third frame: Natalie Mohler had seven of her team-high 10 assists in the set, while Kadence Zollman notched four of her five kills.
PM used an 9-3 run to put scoreboard pressure back on the 'Cats, pulling to within 24-21 on consecutive kills from Zollman. But RC responded, and Mckemy set McCormick for the decisive kill.
Ava Crocker added 18 digs for RC, and Hamilton finished with four kills and eight digs. Emory Slagle contributed four kills and two blocks for PM, while Logan Vest notched 12 digs and Peira Conner recorded three blocks.
Both teams will take the court again on Tuesday, as the Blues return home to face Roanoke Catholic and the Wildcats open up Valley District play at Broadway. Junior varsity action is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. in both locations.
