Garden County to be PC’s last regular season game Friday
The Perkins County Lady Plainsmen volleyball team added two games to their record last week with bouts against the Kimball Longhorns on Oct. 16 and the Wallace Wildcats on Oct. 19.
A big win against the Longhorns on Perkins County’s home court, brings the Lady Plainsmen’s current season record to 4-22.
Kimball
After a tough loss to the Longhorns three days prior during the SPVA tournament, Perkins County came out ready for a rematch and looking for a win on their home court.
The Lady Plainsmen dominated Kimball with a well-run, effective offense that allowed them to attack the net and control the fast pace of the first set.
Perkins County’s blockers fought hard at the net while their back-row coverage, led by Juels Lyon, was on point and picked up most of the balls hit at them from the Longhorns, as well as balls that came off their own blocks and tips.
During the second set, Perkins County fought through several long volleys while keeping their composure, effectively running their offense and coming out with the point; a challenge they have faced throughout the season.
The Lady Plainsmen hammered at the Longhorns during the second set, keeping them scrambling and running all over the court to keep the ball alive.
In the third set, the Lady Plainsmen lost their composure and control of their back-row coverage and serve receive, allowing the Longhorns to sneak past them for the set win.
“The third set hit and we completely fell apart,” said Head Coach Monica Cole. “It was up to them to prove their desire for a win.”
Perkins County regained their communication and execution of the ball in the fourth set. In the latter part of the set, both teams struggled with errors keeping the score tight.
Two back-to-back kills by Bella Fraizer ended the final set with a win for Perkins County.
The Lady Plainsmen defeated Kimball in four sets, 25-21, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22.
“I am so proud of them,” Cole said. “It was fun, and just what we needed to know that our hard work is worth every single second we are on that court.”
Hallie Fisher: 2 kills, 2 assists, 2 digs; Rylee Huff: 7 kills, 15 assists, 14 digs; Lyon: 19 digs; Miah Long: 2 kills, 1 dig; Samantha Patrick: 10 kills, 12 digs; Makenzie Toner: 21 assists, 10 digs; Dani Burge: 11 kills, 5 digs; Fraizer: 9 kills, 1 solo block, 11 digs.
Wallace
The Lady Plainsmen traveled to Wallace to take on the Lady Wildcats, where they played a hard-fought game to five sets.
Perkins County came out firing during the first set. Although they came out with the first set win of the night, the Lady Plainsmen lost focus on match point and took several attempts to get the final point of the set.
Both teams struggled with service errors during the second set and kept the lead bouncing back and forth. The Wildcats pulled ahead of Perkins County and secured the second set.
Perkins County fought back during the third set, surpassing the Wildcats and taking their second set win of the match.
However, Wallace came back to win the final two sets and bested the Lady Plainsmen in five sets, 28-26, 14-25, 25-19, 1-25, 10-15.
“We went for the barn burner in that game, going five sets,” said Cole. “Unfortunately, we ended up losing. It’s heartbreaking, but nothing that we aren’t going to be able to overcome. We did some spectacular things that show we are growing.”
Fisher: 2 kills, 1 assist, 1 dig; Huff: 1 kill, 10 assists, 12 digs; Lyon: 29 digs; Long: 3 kills, 1 dig; Patrick: 6 kills, 16 digs; Toner: 17 assists, 11 digs; Burge: 13 kills, 2 solo blocks, 5 digs; Fraizer: 8 kills, 1 solo block, 20 digs.
Next action
For their last regular season game, the girls will travel to Garden County on October 26 for a triangular, set to begin at 4 p.m. MT.
Subdistricts for the D2-10 Lady Plainsmen will begin Oct. 29 at Prairie View School in Ogallala, time TBA.