Parkersburg’s Calista Mace (6) retrieves a ball returned by Lewis County during Tuesday’s high school volleyball match at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG – Kennedy Porter put her stamp on her final regular season volleyball match at Memorial Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

Porter joined teammates Ava Sayre and Brenan Harvey as part of the recognition for senior night and supplied the ace serve which clinched a four-set victory (25-10, 26-28, 25-17, 25-12) over Lewis County.

“Just because I decided not to continue my career in college in volleyball and decided to go with basketball, tonight means a lot,” Porter said. “This is one of my last times playing volleyball, so it’s definitely a surreal feeling.

“To get that ‘W’ means everything.”

For Sayre, her previous three experiences saying goodbye to the departing seniors brought tears to her eyes. However, as the senior in the spotlight she kept her emotions in check – unlike her mother.

Three members of the Parkersburg volleyball team, from left, Ava Sayre, Kennedy Porter and Brenan Harvey,were recognized as part of senior night during Tuesday’s match against Lewis County at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“It’s actually funny because I’ve cried at my first three senior nights, but I didn’t cry today – and it’s mine,” Sayre said. “I think it’s going to hit later. My mom was really emotional. She’s the emotional type of person. My dad, he didn’t really cry. I think he might have later.”

Harvey, the Big Reds’ designated libero, was truly the only one of the three where the moment hit her as her written speech was being read over the public address system. She was able to regroup in time for the start of the match.

“It was just the emotions – just sad it’s over, but it’s OK,” Harvey said. “I’ve been able to play varsity all four years, so it’s really special to be able to play my last regular-season game, and win it

“The three seniors, we’ve gotten to be really close. It’s special because Kennedy is going off to play basketball while Ava and I are still undecided as to where we are going.”

Lewis County seemed off from the outset and never settled in until the Big Reds wrapped up the first game, 25-10. Leading 8-3, Porter stepped to the service line and the Big Reds scored six straight points – including three of aces. Porter finished the match with 13 service points and six aces.

Parkersburg’s Saige Ashcroft (13) gets in position to block a shot attempt from Lewis County’s Eliza Bush (3) during Tuesday’s high school volleyball match at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Lewis County trailed 16-5 when PHS made another surge with Chloe Gribble now serving. A block from Porter followed later by kills from Ily Bowman and Calista Mace extended the cushion to 20-5. At one juncture, the margin expanded to 17 points.

Lewis County put on a different hat in time for Game 2. In a back-and-forth set, Lewis County inched ahead 19-13.

Sayre’s serving, which included a pair of aces, forced a tie at 20. The Big Reds led 24-23, but Lewis County pulled ahead at 25-24. The Minutemaids failed to secure game point at 25-24 and again at 26-25, but a kill from Reghan Carson eventually led to game point.

Parkersburg erased a 14-13 deficit in the third set and set up the momentum by scoring the final five points.

Senior night would not be complete without a key contribution from Harvey taking over the service line with the Big Reds leading 11-9 and finally ending her turn with the lead at 20-9.

Parkersburg’s Kennedy Porter, left, watches as the ball crosses the net during a high school volleyball match against Lewis County, Tuesday at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PHS improves to 17-16-1, while Lewis County slips to 22-17-2.

“Senior night is really special – I have been with them for a long time,” PHS coach Tammy Fisher said. “This was their last (regular-season) match, and I knew it would be extra special for them to win it.

“We have 12 teams coming here for MSAC on Saturday and we have tough competition ahead of us. I keep telling the kids we play tough teams to make us better.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com

Parkersburg’s Ava Sayre (8) sets the ball during Tuesday’s high school volleyball match against Lewis County at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

A trio of Parkersburg volleyball players wait for the ball to arrive during a high school volleyball match against Lewis County, Tuesday at Memorial Fieldhouse. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)