By Staff for www.mcpherson-county-ks.com
NEWTON – It was another solid night for the McPherson Middle School eighth-grade volleyball team as the ‘A’ team remained unbeaten on the season with a clean sweep of matches on the road against Newton and Salina Lakewood.
“A” TEAM – The eighth grade ‘A’ team are now 8-0 for the season after going to Newton on Monday and scoring a pair of straight set wins over both Salina Lakewood (25-18, 25-9) and Newton (25-23, 25-21).
“We played with only six players again tonight,” explained eighth-grade Junior Lady Pup head coach Christine Pianalto. “Many of whom were in new positions due to absence or injuries. We served very well, going on long runs with quite a few aces. The girls struggled at the net to get consistent sets and swings in but relied on hustle and stamina to win out.”
It will be a quick turnaround as the eighth-grade spikers return to the court on Tuesday with a home triangular with Emporia and Salina South.
“B” TEAM – The eighth grade ‘B’ team continued to struggle as they dropped both matches on Monday, losing in straight sets (14-25, 16-25) to Salina Lakewood and then in three sets to Newton, winning set one 25-13 before losing sets two and three 21-25, 9-15.
“The B team girls played with energy tonight,” noted ‘B’ team coach Tami Malm. “Communication was much better as well. We let our emotions take over at the end of the night and we could not close out versus Newton. We are looking forward to playing at home on Tuesday.”
The eighth-grade Junior Lady Pups ‘B’ team is now 2-6 for the season.
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)