Wildcat players celebrate after a point (Karisa Watkins/PRCCAthletics).
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Facing off against tough competition, the Pearl River volleyball team came up short twice on the first day of the Pensacola State Invitational. PRCC fell to Calhoun 3-0 (21-25, 18-25, 23-25) and No. 4 Pensacola State 3-0 (15-25, 12-25, 16-25).
“It’s always going to be a tough day when our pass average is a 1.5, when we can’t maintain organization defensively and when we can’t find a way to be terminal on offense,” head coach Haley Chatham said. “We had some really bright spots today, and hopefully, as we develop and mature, we can become a little more consistent with those bright spots in order to find more success.”
CALHOUN 3, PEARL RIVER 0.
Pearl River (1-3 overall) battled Calhoun (3-3) tough in each set throughout the match. In set one, the teams were locked at 10 apiece after Morgan Mears (Hurley; East Central) thumped a kill down on the court.
The teams exchanged points throughout the remainder of the set, with PRCC remaining within one point until the Warhawks pulled away late to win the set 25-21.
CCC got off to a hot start in set two, taking a 5-0 lead right from the jump. Finding itself in a 14-7-hole, Pearl River went on an impressive run that was powered by Avery Wheat (Gonzalez, La.; East Ascension), pulling within one point at 16-15 to force a Calhoun timeout.
The Wildcats tied the set briefly at 18-18, but CCC ended it shortly after, 25-18.
Trying to fend off defeat, Pearl River was in control in the early portion of the set, clinging to an 8-7 advantage. Calhoun evened things up quickly and then built out a 4-point 16-14 advantage. PRCC didn’t go away quietly, battling until the end, but lost the third set 25-23.
PENSACOLA STATE 3, PEARL RIVER 0.
Pensacola State (4-2) took an early lead, but Pearl River got within one point at 8-7 following another Wheat kill. The Pirates put their foot on the gas pedal afterward, jolting out to a 17-12 lead.
The Wildcats picked up a few more points before the set ended — highlighted by an Olivia Shirley (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) shot through a block attempt — but fell in set two 25-15.
Pearl River fought hard in the third set, trading points with the Pirates until the score was 10-8 Pensacola State.
Madi King (Leakesville; Green County) tried to gain some momentum for the Wildcats with a thunderous kill, but PSC ran away with the third set, 25-12.
NEXT UP
Pearl River will have to flush the losses quickly as it takes on Garden City Saturday at 9 a.m. and Gadsden State at 5 p.m. The matches will be livestreamed at PirateNetwork.Live.
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