Parkersburg South's Jess Price (25) celebrates following a point against Huntington on Wednesday in Huntington. (Photo by Ryan Fischer/Herald-Dispatch)

HUNTINGTON — No. 7-seeded Parkersburg South swept No. 6 Huntington (25-22, 25-19, 25-22) on Wednesday evening to advance to the West Virginia Class AAAA State Tournament.

“It feels great for the girls to finally be able to show everybody what they can actually do,” Parkersburg South coach Emily Tracewell said. “We underachieved all season long. Nobody knew we could come out and play good. It’s a good feeling for them to see all the hard work this season come together tonight.”

Parkersburg South was led by eight kills from senior Payten Mackey and 11 kills from freshman Jesselyn Price. Huntington’s Liz Bohren finished with four kills and three blocks.

Mackey’s story entering the night was one of redemption as she missed six weeks due to an ankle injury and returned for the first time in a state qualifier.

“She got cleared today. It was risky throwing her in without practice, but I think it was great to see the bench interacting with the team to help out the lineup,” Tracewell. “She has played varsity all four years, and was a key player in her sophomore year. She tore something in her shoulder in her junior year, came back this year and had a bad ankle sprain. She has been out for a long time, but I knew that by putting her back in that she would give 100% and be a leader. She got the job done.”

Parkersburg South's Payton Mackey (20) jumps up to take a shot against Huntington on Wednesday in Huntington. (Photo by Ryan Fischer/Herald-Dispatch)

The first set was a back-and-forth onslaught with over 10 ties. The lead changed for the final time with a 21-20 kill from Patriots hitter Shy Hays. From there, a 5-2 run sealed the first set as Price had the final three points, all on kills.

Price had six kills in the first set, often firing across her body and into space well. Mackey was just as effective, turning a close matchup with slim margins into a final push with full control as she often found finesse kills by drawing blockers and poking beside them.

For Huntington, Bohren was the engine. She had a solo block along with two kills in the span of three points. When she was rotated onto the front row, Parkersburg South was forced to play around her.

“I think they were a little hesitant and nervous,” Huntington coach Chana Dixon said. “Age plays a factor in that. Some of our passing wasn’t there, and it affected us. If you don’t have the set passes, it’s hard to get a great deal. Other than that, we battled. It was point for point.”

Parkersburg South carried its momentum into another tight set. With a 18-16 deficit following a block and a kill from Bohren, Parkersburg South came back and rolled. Benefitting from three consecutive Highlander errors, Mackey and Price sealed the set.

The Wirt County volleyball celebrates after defeating Tug Valley in regional tournament play Wednesday to earn a state tourney berth. (Photo by Shawn Healy Photography)

Huntington’s Bohren had a moment in which two of her attacks were stuffed, but she recovered for a third time to draw a kill.

“I thought they were a really well-rounded team that looked consistent,” Tracewell said of Huntington. “We just overpowered them a little bit in the front row.”

Mackey had a pair of kills in the final six points. Mackey and Aubree Harner blocked a final attack from Huntington to take the set.

In the third, Parkersburg South rolled its way to the finish as Hays had three kills and a solo block within five points before Price drilled the final kill to take it.

“We always say that as long as everyone is doing their job and trusting their teammates to make the passes and sets, our front row will get the job done,” Tracewell said. “I thought they worked really well together.”

Huntington’s season ends and will continue next season with a young core as it has just one senior in Khloe Easter, finishing with multiple service points.

“I’ve always focused on the girls’ development. We’re a young team,” Dixon said. “We had one senior who showed up and did excellent this evening. I’ve used her in a lot of different areas, so shoutout to Khloe for being the only senior and battling with that.”

Wirt moving on to state

The Wirt County volleyball team improved to 30-4-2 on the season with a 25-10, 25-9, 25-13 sweep of Tug Valley in a Class A, Region IV state qualifier Wednesday.

Addie Stephens led the Tigers with 35 kills while Simone Hall netted 13. Breigyn Dawson dished out 48 assists, Katherine Lemley tallied a team-high 11 digs and Jasmine Williams served 15 points and four aces.