By Staff for www.mcpherson-county-ks.com

            SALINA – Thursday marked the opening of the 2022 season for the McPherson Middle School seventh-grade volleyball team as they hit the road to Salina and split a pair matches with Salina South and Hutchinson.

            “A” TEAM RESULTS:

            The seventh grade ‘A’ team scored a split of their matches with both going to three sets.

            Against Hutchinson, the Junior Lady Pups lost set one 26-28 before bouncing back to win the final two sets 25-16, 15-8 to score a match victory.

            In their second match of the day with host Salina South, the Junior Lady Pups won the first set 25-19 before stumbling in set two and losing 17-25 and then losing a heartbreaker in set three 12-15 for a match loss.

            “It was great to finally get on the court for competition,” said head coach Shelley Cooper-Bohme. “For our first games of the season I thought the girls did really well. We were able to get the ball set up and our front row players did an outstanding job of being aggressive at the net. We identified some areas to improve on as we head into next week.”

            “B” TEAM RESULTS:

            For the seventh-grade Junior Lady Pups ‘B’ team, they also spit their two matches though they lost their first match to Hutchinson in straight sets 21-25, 18-25.

            Against Salina South, McPherson came out big with a 25-20 win in the first set before being humbled in the second set, losing 11-25 before bouncing back to win a close, hard fought third set 15-12 to earn the overall victory of the match.

            According to ‘B’ team coach Katherine Cooper, “The girls did a great job at their first games. We had some strong serves and great defense from our players. The girls were positive and excited to be on the court playing as a team. They worked hard and were able to come out with a victory. We are excited for our games next week.

            Up next for the seventh-grade volleyball teams will be a home triangular with Hays and Newton on Tuesday, September 3.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)