PHS Volleyball
Pierce Bluejays Sweep out Crofton Warriors
By Charlie Miller
In their second Mid-State conference matchup of the week, the Pierce Bluejays competed against the Crofton Warriors on Thursday, September 18, and the Jays won this game 3-0.
“I thought we played a complete game. Our defense was significantly better than it has been, and our serve was very good,” head coach Zach Weber said. “It was a great step forward for us and should help our confidence moving forward.”
In the first set, both teams battled hard, but the Jays came out on top 25-11.
The second set was a thriller that ended with Pierce winning the set 25-10. In the third and final set, the Jays fired up and won the set 25-14.
Attacking wise, the team leader for kills was Nora Herian with 20 kills, and hot on her heels was Abigail Cone with 11 kills.
The Jays had eight ace serves, and A. Cone had the majority of them with five.
“Our defense was really clean, they tried jv balls on us and back row picked up on it really easily,” senior Naomi Sullivan claims. “Our blocking has also improved from the Battle Creek game to this game. Overall, we went really well all together as a team and did well with lifting each other's spirits and having each other's backs.”
Catch the Jays compete again on Thursday, September 25, as they host Lutheran High Northeast.
Bluejays take down the Bravettes
By: Naomi Sullivan
The Bluejays fought until the end against the Bravettes. In a five set Mid-State conference battle, Pierce and Battle Creek traded wins back and forth with the Bluejays ending victorious
First, the Bluejays had a tough comeback from the beginning. The first set took off with the Bluejays taking the win in the first set with a 25-21 score.
Pierce took the lead into the second set and did not look back, winning 25-21.
Dominating in the first two sets the Bluejays let the Bravettes sneak by, ending the third with a 25-23 loss.
The Bluejays were still leading 2-1 going into the fourth set, and while both teams fought hard the Bravettes came out with the win in the end, 27-25.
Both the Bravettes and the Bluejays were tied up in sets, everyone was wondering who would take the win. The Bluejays made it a quick fifth set ending the game with a final score of 15-10.
“I'm proud of how our team played. We knew we needed to win the serve and pass game, which we did in at least two of the sets. This was a huge win for us and for our seeding in the conference, and it helps to build momentum as we move into another big conference match,” head coach Zach Weber said. “Overall, I'm pleased with how we were able to grind out a win, but moving forward, we need to find a way to stay aggressive towards the end of sets.”
Leading the teams in serving aces was Haley Scholting with four aces.
Josie Painter dug everything in the back row and ended the night with 20 digs. Nora Herian was right behind Painter with 15 digs.
Herian, Naomi Sullivan, and Lydia Cone all secured one stuff block each.
Herian led the Bluejays with 30 kills and Abigail Cone added 15 more to Herian’s total.
Adrienne Riggert had 54 assists against the Bravettes.
“As a group, we were really good about lifting each other up after each play, no matter if we got the point. We kept each other motivated by reminding ourselves to focus on the next ball and not dwell on mistakes,” Painter said. “I am proud of the way we fought back in the fifth set and came out on top. From this match, I learned that finishing a game is just as important as starting, and to never become complacent.”
