PM Netters Roll Over Craig

The Parry McCluer High School volleyball team rolled to a 3-0 win over Pioneer District rival Craig County on Senior Night in Buena Vista on Monday of last week.

The Fighting Blues (10-11 overall, 4-4 district) evened up their district record by easing to a 25-11, 25-14, 25-14 victory over the Rockets (211, 2-7).

Emory Slagle paced the PM offense with 12 kills, notching her 100th of the season in the process, and she also served up four aces. Peira Conner totaled six kills, three blocks and seven aces for the Blues, and Natalie Mohler collected 17 assists, eight digs and three aces.

Layla Dooley led Craig with three kills, while Cheyanne Bell and Daileigh Donithan chipped in two kills apiece.

Prior to the match, the Blues honored their senior class: Conner, Mohler, Remi Hickman, Logan Vest and manager Maddie Carte.

In addition to the standout performances from Conner and Mohler, Vest paced the PM defense from her libero spot with nine digs – a smaller number than usual, as the Blues kept Craig from running much offense. And Hickman, a firstyear varsity player who’s slated to graduate early, earned the start and contributed 13 assists.

“Remi really stepped it up tonight as our second setter,” said PM head coach Jessie Moala, who had plenty of praise for the entire senior class. “They’re going to be missed. I’m not going to get too sad about it, because we’re not done with the season.

“They’re great girls on and off the court,” Moala added. “It’s been a pleasure and an honor to coach them.”

PM jumped in front in the opening set, getting two early kills from Slagle and three straight Conner aces to assume an 8-2 lead. With the Blues ahead 12-7 later in the frame, a long service run from Mohler – including two aces – stretched the margin to 20-7 as PM coasted to a 25-11 result.

Hickman spurred the Blues’ offense in the opener, notching six of her 13 assists in the first set. And Slagle, who had five kills in the frame, was firing on all cylinders at the net, powering some swings through the Rockets’ blockers while finding open angles on other points.

“She was reading things really well,” Moala said of Slagle, a sophomore outside hitter who can also play middle. “She’s gotten really good at seeing the court and seeing spots.”

The second set was tight until midway through, when PM held a 13-10 advantage. Two Conner kills helped the Blues stretch their lead out to 18-13, and a late five-point service run from Allie Cullen pushed the gap to 24-13. A Mohler kill would polish off the set.

The Blues led 9-7 in the third stanza, but two quick kills and a solo block from Kadence Zollman were part of a 4-0 mini-run that made it 13-7. After the Rockets closed the deficit to 18-14, Conner caught fire from the service line, dialing up four aces as part of a match-clinching 7-0 spurt.

Zollman finished with seven kills, while Cullen totaled six kills and two aces. Addisyn Higgins led Craig with three assists.

The Blues entered the match needing a victory to help their seeding in the upcoming district tournament, and they also wanted to showcase their senior class. PM was able to accomplish both missions in last Monday’s match.

“We were hoping to feature all of our seniors, and I feel like we did that really well,” Moala said. “It’s good to get a win.”

PM was slated to face the Rockets again in New Castle on Monday evening. The Blues will wrap up the regular season at Bath County on Thursday, beginning with the junior varsity contest at 5:30 p.m. The district tournament is scheduled to start on Monday. For the Blues’ schedule and updates, visit www. thenews-gazette.com.