POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The beginning of a brand-new season couldn’t have been much better for the Pearl River volleyball team. Not only did the Wildcats pick up a dominant 3-0 (27-25, 25-16, 25-13) victory over Coastal Alabama, but head coach Haley Chatham earned her 100th victory at the helm of the Pearl River volleyball program.
“The last two sets were closer to what things should have looked like. That was our first time to get on the court this year,” head coach Haley Chatham said. “I expected it to be a little shaky at first, but we were lucky to pull it out there in the end (of the first set). Once the girls got more comfortable, it looked like what we expected to see.”
Chatham talked about earning her 100th win and the lessons she’s learned over her years at the helm of PRCC’s volleyball program.
“I totally forgot about it being my 100th win until (assistant coach) Andrew (Crow) handed me the plaque,“ she said. “That was a special moment.
“Thank God, I grew as a coach in the last five years. That first year was rough, and it was all about learning. I had no idea what I was walking into. It has gotten a little easier each year, and I have learned more. I’ve learned what type of athletes I needed and what is important and what isn’t. It has been a fun journey.”
That 1-0 feeling �� pic.twitter.com/vZimP9QPH8
— PRCC Athletics (@PRCCAthletics) August 23, 2024
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pearl River (1-0 overall) got off to a good start right from the jump in the 2024 season as freshman middle blocker Morgan Mears (Hurley; East Central) sent a kill flying down onto the court to pick up a point. PRCC turned in a play-of-the-year candidate on just the season’s second play. A kill attempt by Coastal Alabama (0-1) rebounded around before Sophie Warren (Brandon) reacted quickly to kick the ball back into play and keep the rally going. PRCC eventually picked up a point on a big block by Mears, 2-0.
Following the early PRCC run, the opening set was tight as the largest Wildcat lead was just three points, coming at 9-6 and 10-7.
The Coyotes squared things up at 12-12 and took a 14-12 lead over the Wildcats in the middle portion of the set. Campbell Bailey (Elberta, Ala.; St. Michael’s) pulled PRCC even a few points later, smashing a kill of a CAS player’s hands for a kill, 14-14.
The teams exchanged leads six times before PRCC found itself in a 23-21 hole late. The Wildcats didn’t waver, though, fighting back to tie things up at 25-25 before taking the game. Madi King (Leakesville; Green County) picked up the 26th point of the night by sending a ball skidding off the net and onto the ground. Two-sport star Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) ended the set promptly with a kill, 27-25.
With the momentum gained in the first set, the second set of the evening was all Wildcats. PRCC rushed out of the gate, pulling ahead 7-4 quickly. The Coyotes briefly tied things at 8-8, but Pearl River caught fire after the deficit.
Mears made the score 11-9 when she mashed a kill through a block attempt and onto the court. Madison Butler (Biloxi; D’Iberville) used some deception moments later, faking a set and dropping the ball just before an unprepared CAS defender, 13-11. PRCC’s lead expanded to 17-11.
Bailey made the score 23-15 in the late going, and kills by Mears and Hoffmayer wrapped up the second set, 25-16.
The third set was more of the same for the Wildcats, who jumped out to a 5-1 advantage aided by a King block. Warren grew the lead to 8-3 soon after, knuckling a serve across the net and down to the court for an ace.
The combination of Wildcat dominance and some Coyote miscues allowed PRCC to stretch its lead to as much as 20-8. Shortly after, Skyla Rann (Gonzales, La.; East Ascension) set a ball perfectly for Hoffmayer to pick up a big kill.
The match eventually was put to rest by who else by Mears, who ended her incredible freshman debut by mashing a kill off a Coyote defender and out of bounds for the final point of the evening, 25-13.
LEADING THE WAY
Chatham talked about Mears’ play in the contest.
“Morgan came here as a good player, but you’re about to watch her get better and better,“ she said. “She’s going to be unstoppable by the time this season ends.”
Mears talked about her Wildcat debut.
“This is the big dog league now,“ she said. “When you get here, you have to compete, so when I step out there, the court is mine.”
Chatham talked about the play of Rann, who made her presence known throughout the night.
“I knew she was good, and I expected big things from her, but that was another level,“ Chatham said. “She’s fearless, and nothing phases her. I am super pleased with her.”
UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to the court Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest against Coastal Alabama – North.
TUNE IN
All Pearl River home volleyball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the “Pearl River CC” channel from their app stores.
TICKETING
Tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Tickets purchased in advance are $8. Tickets purchased on gameday are $10. Season passes can be purchased for $66.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
