The Parry McCluer High School volleyball team went 1-1 in a pair of Pioneer District road matches last week, losing to district leader Eastern Montgomery before earning a sweep over Highland County.
The Fighting Blues headed into the penultimate week of the regular season with a 4-2 record in Pioneer District play and a 10-8 overall mark.
Last Tuesday, EM defeated PM 25-13, 25-12, 25-15 in Elliston. The Blues’ offense struggled throughout the night: Kadence Zollman had a teamhigh four kills, while Allie Cullen notched three kills and Jorja Catlett had eight assists.
“We were in some weird funk that day,” PM head coach Jilane Hall said. “We weren’t a very strong offensive threat.”
Cullen had a more impactful night on defense, leading the Blues with 17 digs. Presley Camden totaled 11 digs, while Catlett had 10 digs and Josie Martinez finished with eight.
The Mustangs went on to sweep Craig County later in the week, improving to 6-0 in the district and 11-4 overall. EM, which also defeated PM 3-0 in Buena Vista back on Sept. 11 and has home wins over Narrows and Bath County, is clearly emerging as the team to beat in the Pioneer.
“They beat us pretty good both times when we played them. They’re definitely a force to be reckoned with,” Hall said of the Mustangs. “I still think we have the ability to put up a good fight against them.”
PM 3, HC 0
PM regrouped quickly and recorded a 3-0 victory over Highland County in Monterey on Thursday.
Zollman notched nine kills without an error, hitting .500 for the night as the Blues won 25-14, 25-13, 25-13. The senior middle also served up 10 aces, and PM totaled 23 aces overall in the three-set affair.
“We had a very strong service game,” Hall said. “We kept them out of system, and we played our game. We brought a lot of energy.”
Catlett tallied 19 assists, three kills, three aces and six digs, while Martinez contributed three kills, three aces and six digs. Cullen had three kills and nine digs, Camden posted 10 digs and three aces, and Emory Slagle added four aces.
PM’s nondistrict match at Bland County, slated for Saturday, was canceled. The Blues were scheduled to visit Bath on Monday, and they’ll return home to take on Craig on Thursday. They’ll visit Narrows on Tuesday before concluding the regular season at home against Bath next Thursday, Oct. 23. All nights are scheduled to start with junior varsity action at 5:30 p.m.
