Monday, Sept. 8 -- The Rockbridge County High School volleyball team recorded a 3-0 victory over Parry McCluer in Buena Vista.
Jada Hamilton tallied 11 kills to lead the Wildcats (3-1) to a 25-14, 25-15, 25-11 win. Maisen McKemy notched 19 assists and two blocks for RC, and Hayley Higgins posted six service aces as the 'Cats swept the season series. When the two teams kicked off the fall campaign in Lexington on Aug. 26, RC also won in straight sets.
Allie Cullen had 10 digs and a pair of kills for the Fighting Blues (3-2) in Monday's rematch. Jorja Catlett recorded three kills, eight assists and five digs for PM, while Sophia Bouchelle served up a pair of aces.
The Wildcats used big early runs in all three sets to take command. Trailing 4-2 in the opener, RC reeled off seven straight points -- including a pair of Higgins aces -- to go in front for good at 9-4. Consecutive aces from Mackenzie McCormick later in the set keyed a 6-1 spurt that put the frame out of reach at 24-13.
The Blues also led 4-2 in the second set, but another long service run from Higgins -- including two more aces, along with three Hamilton kills -- gave RC a 12-2 cushion. PM would not pull any closer than seven the rest of the way.
The 'Cats got off to an even quicker start in the third set, opening up a 6-1 lead on back-to-back aces from Emma Johnson. RC led 12-7 later in the stanza, but an extended 13-4 stretch got the visitors across the finish line.
McCormick chipped in five kills, two blocks and three aces for the Wildcats, and Emmy Duff also had five kills. Johnson finished with three aces, contributing to the 14 total service aces that RC racked up in the match.
Josie Martinez, Emory Slagle, Caroline Watts and Kadence Zollman registered two kills apiece for PM. Martinez added eight digs, and Presley Camden totaled seven digs.
RC will play host to Shenandoah District foe Fort Defiance on Tuesday, beginning with the junior varsity game at 6 p.m. The Blues return to action with their Pioneer District opener against Eastern Montgomery in Buena Vista on Monday, Sept. 15, starting with the JV contest at 5:30 p.m.
