Blues Net First Win

PM To Begin Pioneer Play This Week

The Parry McCluer High School volleyball team secured its first victory of the season last Wednesday, recording a 3-0 road triumph over Nelson County.

The Fighting Blues had fallen in straight sets to Amherst County at home on the previous night, and they wrapped up the week with a 1-5 overall record.

In Wednesday’s match, Jorja Catlett and Josie Martinez tallied five kills apiece to lead PM to a 25-15, 25-17, 25-13 win over the Governors (1-2). Catlett also chipped in two blocks, and Jaelyn Manning finished with four kills. Presley Camden paced the Blues’ defense with eight digs.

First-year PM head coach Elle Kindred has praised the progress that her team made through their first five matches. Now the Blues have a win to show for it.

“We’re working on the leadership side and the communication side of things,” Kindred said after Tuesday’s game against Amherst. “Our passing – our serve-receive – has gotten significantly better than our first couple of matches.”

PM will face Nelson again at home on Monday, beginning with the junior varsity contest at 5:30 p.m.

AC 3, PM 0

Amherst County turned a dominant performance behind the service line into a 3-0 victory over PM in Buena Vista on Tuesday of last week.

The Lancers (3-2) totaled 25 service aces en route to a 25-12, 25-13, 25-13 win over the Blues. Madison Tuggle led the way with seven aces, followed by six from Ania Thompson, five from Clair Meeks, four from Tomsin Bristow and three from Kynslee Wilson.

Wilson also helmed the Amherst offense with 19 assists and four kills. Meeks posted seven kills, while Emma Beam and Marlee Mull finished with five apiece.

Catlett had five assists, one block, one kill and one ace for PM. Manning notched two kills, while Emma Coffey and Sophie Porterfield each registered two aces.

The Blues’ inability to handle the Lancers’ serving quickly doomed any chances that they had of being in a competitive match. Amherst dealt out nine aces in each of the first two sets, getting six from Tuggle in the opening frame alone.

“If we can’t pass, we can’t play the game of volleyball,” Kindred said. “I’m stressing right now to the girls that I need to be able to physically see a leader on the floor. … We’re playing as six individuals, and we need to play as one unit.” Even when the Blues received the Lancers’ serves and extended the rallies, they still struggled to contain Meeks and the other Amherst hitters. Kindred is hoping to use those occasions as teaching moments.

“She’s [Meeks] got a crazy vertical and an awesome swing, but we need to be able to adapt to that,” the PM coach said. “We’re just in the same position. We’re not changing; we’re not adapting. Just showing the girls there are really good hitters out there, and finding ways to get around that.”

PM was slated to visit Rockbridge County on Monday before playing host to Narrows for its Pioneer District opener last night. The Blues will travel to district foe Eastern Montgomery on Thursday and are scheduled to play at Craig County on Tuesday, with junior varsity action beginning at 5:30 p.m. on both nights.