PM Netters Overcome Narrows

Blues Win District Tourney For First Time Since 2005

The Parry McCluer High School volleyball team secured the program’s first Pioneer District tournament championship in 19 years – and the Fighting Blues did so in thrilling fashion.

The third-seeded Blues (15-11) came from two sets down to defeat top seed Narrows 3-2 on the road last Wednesday, rallying past the Green Wave (17-4) with a 17-25, 21-25, 27-25, 26-24, 15-12 victory and clinching the district title for the first time since the 2005 campaign.

Keely Mahaffey posted a double-double for PM, notching 15 kills and 17 digs to go along with eight assists, three blocks and three service aces. Kadence Zollman added 16 kills, three blocks and three aces, and Logan Vest recorded 23 digs and four aces.

Natalie Mohler chipped in 13 assists, eight digs and three kills for the Blues, and Allie Cullen tallied 13 digs and four kills.

Playing for the third time in as many nights – and after losing the first two sets against a Narrows team that had beaten them twice during the regular season – the Blues showed their resilience to battle back. PM head coach Jessie Moala credited her team’s leadership for keeping the Blues from caving in.

“I believe the reason we were able to come back after the first two sets had a lot to do with our captains, especially Logan Vest,” Moala said. “She was vital in keeping everyone focused and leading them through example.”

From a tactical standpoint, Moala thought that the Blues worked their way back into the game from the service line.

“Keely, Logan and Allie made some great serves during some pivotal moments. Natalie and Kadence’s consistency really helped keep our momentum going,” said Moala, who also credited Mahaffey and Peira Conner for “some crucial blocks that kept us in the game.”

As a bonus, the victory included several milestones for PM: Cullen, Mahaffey and Mohler each recorded their 200th dig of the season, while Vest, the Blues’ libero, notched her 300th dig. Mahaffey also posted her 200th assist of the year, with Zollman tallying her 200th kill and freshman Josie McElroy collecting her 100th dig.

After overcoming a 2-0 deficit by winning the third and fourth sets in extras, Moala said that she set the stage for her team during the huddle prior to the decisive frame.

“I told the girls going into the fifth set that this was their time to make history as a team and leave their mark on PM volleyball, and they did just that,” Moala said. “This win meant so much to the girls and to [assistant coach Michelle] Mahaffey and me… I was beyond proud of the way they dug deep and fought when it would have been easier to give up.”

PM 3, BC 0

The Blues advanced to Wednesday’s championship with a 3-0 semifinal win over second- seeded Bath County in Hot Springs on Tuesday of last week.

Mohler notched 16 assists, 13 digs and two aces to lead PM to a 25-20, 25-15, 25-23 victory. Zollman paced the offense with 11 kills, while Mahaffey registered nine kills, four blocks, seven assists and 19 digs.

Conner chipped in nine digs for the Blues – including her 100th of the season – to go along with seven kills, five aces and a pair of blocks. Vest led the defensive effort with 22 digs, while Cullen tallied 16 digs and Martinez finished with 10. Cullen and Vest also served up three aces apiece.

“I was so proud of the grit these girls showed tonight,” Moala said. “Bath almost had us in the third set, but our girls dug down deep and showed what the Fighting Blue spirit is all about.”

PM 3, HC 0

PM started its Pioneer tournament run with a 3-0 victory over No. 6 seed Highland County in the quarterfinals in Buena Vista last Monday.

Zollman piled up 16 kills – including 10 in the second set alone – to propel PM to a 25-20, 25-6, 25-6 victory over the Rams. Mahaffey notched nine aces, eight assists, eight digs and five kills, while Mohler totaled 13 assists and Cullen amassed nine aces. Colleen Adams led Highland with four aces and four kills.

The Blues started the opening set on the front foot, getting three early aces from Mahaffey to craft a 13-5 edge and later leading 17-6 on an ace from Cullen. Highland battled back, with Adams serving up three straight aces and then notching a pair of kills as the Rams pulled to within one at 21-20. But consecutive Highland errors – one on serve and the other on an attack – squelched the rally, and PM would finish off the opener with a Zollman kill and another Mahaffey ace.

The Blues then cruised to the match win with dominant performances in the second and third sets. Zollman was unstoppable in the middle frame, punishing the Rams’ defense with 10 kills, and a 10-0 service run by Mahaffey put PM in control.

“Kadence has really come a long way. I think she’s really figured out her swing, which is awesome,” Moala said. “She and Natalie have really been connecting well. They’re peaking at the right time.”

PM led 9-6 in the third, but a kill from Cullen created a sideout, and the junior then served out the match with 15 straight points – including seven aces.

Martinez and Vest tallied eight digs apiece for the Blues, and Conner provided four aces.

PM was slated to play host to Grayson County in the Region 1C quarterfinals on Monday evening. See a separate story for the result. For the latest scores and schedule updates, please visit thenews-gazette.com.