Thursday, Aug. 28 -- The Parry McCluer High School volleyball team secured its first win of the young season, defeating Roanoke Catholic 3-1 in Buena Vista.
Allie Cullen totaled 10 kills, 23 digs and four service aces to lead the Fighting Blues (1-1) to a 25-18, 11-25, 25-21, 25-21 victory.
Jorja Catlett notched 16 assists, six kills and two aces for PM. Kadence Zollman had 11 digs and five aces for the Blues, and Presley Camden recorded 11 digs and three aces.
Justinne Llavore had nine kills and five aces for the Celtics (1-3). Addisen Green tallied eight kills and 10 aces, and Kinsley Decker amassed 16 assists.
The first set featured lengthy scoring runs from both teams. The Blues saw an early 13-7 lead shrink to 13-12 before responding with six straight points -- including a pair of Josie Martinez aces -- to go ahead 19-13. RC narrowed the gap to 20-17, but PM closed the frame on a 5-1 run that ended with consecutive aces from Cullen.
The Celtics dominated the second set, scoring the first 10 points and never letting the Blues back in it. Green had five aces and three kills in the stanza.
PM built up an 18-11 lead in the third set before a rally from RC. After three straight kills from Llavore made it 21-20 in the Blues' favor, PM scored four of the final five points, getting a key ace from Zollman and clinching the set on Cullen's free-ball kill.
The fourth set unfolded in similar fashion. A balanced offensive attack -- Catlett had three of her kills in the frame, supplemented by two apiece from Cullen, Martinez and Emory Slagle -- allowed PM to again open up an 18-11 advantage. While the Celtics were able to cut the gap to 20-17, the Blues fended off their visitors to finish off the match.
Slagle finished with four kills for PM, while Martinez had three kills and five aces. Lauren Bradley posted three kills for RC, and Harper Sawyer had three aces.
The Blues will return to action at Nelson County on Tuesday, with the junior varsity match slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.
