PHS Volleyball
Pierce Battles Hard at Columbus Classic Tournament
By Brynn Schwartz
Pierce traveled bright and early to Columbus Lakeview and went head-to-head with North Bend, Norfolk Catholic, and Lakeview on October 4 in the Columbus Classic volleyball tournament.
First, Pierce played North Bend. Starting off with the first set ending in Pierce winning 25-23, followed by 25-19 leading for the second set to claim the victory over North Bend 2-0.
Josie Painter started the team with 10 digs. Following her steps, Nora Herian had nine digs. Adrienne Riggert had four digs. Abigail Cone added two digs, and Emily Endorf with one dig.
“I thought the game went really well this weekend. We really showed out, even if the outcome wasn’t what we wanted. It definitely showed our growth from the beginning of the season,” Herian, a junior, said.
Next, was Norfolk Catholic, Pierce fought a hard battle with the ending score of the first set, ending 25-20 in favor of the Knights. The second set went in Pierce’s favor, with the Jays winning 25-19. Next, the third set ended 25-17, and Pierce took home the final win with a score of 2-1.
“The Saturday tournament was all around a good day. I thought our game against Norfolk Catholic was the best game from that day – the defense, the hustle, the offense was just all around amazing. I’m so proud of my teammates for how we plays not only just in that game, but all day,” Sullivan said.
Herian took the lead with 18 digs and kills. Following behind was Haley Scholting with five digs, Painter with four digs. A. Cone finished with 11 kills. Finishing, Naomi Sullivan, Riggert and Lydia Cone each had three kills.
“I’m really proud that we beat Catholic and how hard we played. Our next step is keeping the energy and intensity throughout the whole day and through every game,” Painter said.
In the final game, Pierce went against Lakeview High School. In the first set Pierce got defeated with an ending score of 25-21. The second set rounded up the day for the Bluejays, ending 25-20 in favor of Lakeview.
Coming off strong, Herian has 11 kills, A. Cone with seven kills. L. Cone and Sullivan added three kills each. Painter was right behind with two kills and Riggert with one kill.
Pierce is on a roll, winning eight of their last nine contests. That provides a nice bump to their 15-6 record this season.
Bluejays Take Down the LCC Bears
By Charlie Miller
The Pierce Bluejays took on the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Bears and got the victory in a 3-1 set sweep on the road on September 30.
In the first set, the Jays battled and were able to take the set with a score of 25-20
Pierce then fell 26-24 in the second set.
“I thought the game went really good overall, and our intensity and effort were great,” junior libero Josie Painter claims. “We need to improve our serves, but overall it was a strong performance.”
Coming out stronger in the third set, the Jays won with a set score of 25-22.
To take home the win, the Bluejays dominated the fourth set with a final set score of 25-20.
Throughout the night, Haley Scholting had four ace serves. Nora Herian and Abigail Cone led the team with 24 and 23 kills each. Painter and Herian also led the team in digs with 18.
“I think we came out and played with a great amount of effort and intensity,” senior Naomi Sullivan comments. “I think the team all came together with positivity when needed and great energy which helped tremendously with effort and confidence all around the court.”
The Pierce Jays will be back in action on October 9, as they host O’Neill.
Pierce Freshman Volleyball Tournament
By Brianna Rundell
The Pierce C-team volleyball competed in the Pierce tournament held on Saturday, October 5, and other teams competing included Crofton, Randolph, Wayne, Norfolk, Cedar Catholic, Columbus Scotus, and Lutheran High.
Pierce opened the tournament with a win over Crofton, with set scores of 25-9 and 25-10, putting them a step ahead of the rest.
“Before the game, I expected us to all come together as a team and do the best that we can with a new setter and everyone still getting used to it, and play together to do the best we can to work with it, then after the games, I felt that we did good with how we worked and how our defense and finishing up at the net could have been better. I think we still did a great job,” freshman Brynley Schnoor said.
The Bluejays played against Wayne in the second round, earning a 2-0 win with scores being 25-15 and 25-13. The victory advanced them to a final round against Scotus.
In the final match, Pierce fought hard, but fell to Scotus, the set scores being 25-21 and 25-23. The loss placed Pierce in second.
“After the games, I felt like we were doing good. I think that our serves could have been better, but we did our best,” middle hitter Kennedy Johnson said.
Pierce finished the tournament with two wins and one loss. They showed great sportsmanship and good play throughout the day on their home court.
