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Rivalry Week begins: South volleyball defeats Parkersburg in five sets

By Kerry Patrick 4 min read

PARKERSBURG - Rivalry week started in appropriate fashion as the volleyball teams from Parkersburg and Parkersburg South went the full five-set distance to decide an outcome.

Down one set, South didn't disappoint all the friends and family sophomore hitter Jess Price urged to attend and defeated PHS 26-28, 25-17, 25-21, 20-25, 15-8, Monday night at Rod Oldham Athletic Center.

"I get so excited for this match every single year," said Price after the Patriots improved to 12-2. "I tell all my friends about it - anyone who passes by. I think I'm so annoying asking them if they are going to the game. I tell them they should come to the game. I love these kind of things.

"Our team is having so much fun. We are all friends. We are all family. For three months, we are around each other constantly. It's hard not to care about these girls."

After splitting the first four games, South opened Game 5 like gangbusters with four straight points behind a pair of kills from Price off an assist from Aubree Harner on each occasion.

Moments later with South still in front 5-2, Peyton Gossett took over at the service line for South. In addition to producing a pair of aces during a five-point run, she also put the ball in a perfect spot for Price to send down another two kills.

PHS trailed 12-6 when Gossett picked another teammate for what resulted in a knockdown off a Big Red defender on a shot attempt from the lefty Presley Allen.

South later clinched the match on the Big Reds' serve.

"I love coaching these kind of matches," South coach Emily Tracewell said. "I just love coaching in general because it brings me so much joy to see all the girls working together and really believe they can be great volleyball players.

"After we dropped that first set, I told the girls to remember how hard they worked this summer and the goals we have. Beating PHS was not one because that is something that we should have done based on the other goals we set. We reminded them if they are doing the things they know how to do then they should come out with a win."

PHS didn't make any excuses even though they had just returned home last night from its annual excursion to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for team bonding and a weekend tournament.

The turnaround was quick, but the Big Reds were up to the task - especially in the opening set when South spoiled six set points before PHS pulled out a 28-26 win.

"We played five matches in Tennessee and did really well for what we got then we had to come back the next day and play our rival," PHS coach Tammy Fisher said after her club dropped to 2-6. "My kids really stepped up. My five seniors just pushing it and telling the kids not to get down. And you saw it. They were having then they would get down and come back. That's what this game is about. It's like a roller coaster."

One senior in particular carried the spark for PHS. Chloe Gribble continually gave South trouble at the net. She also carried that spark over to the bench and fired up her teammates.

"This is probably one of the best games I've ever seen her play - maybe for her career," Fisher said. "She just wants to play her best at all times. Tonight, she was really a leader. On the bench, she explained to the girls, mistakes are made. Keep going."

At Rod Oldham Athletic Center

Parkersburg South def. Parkersburg 26-28, 25-17, 25-21, 20-25, 15-8

Records: Parkersburg South 12-2, Parkersburg 2-6

Next match: Parkersburg at John Marshall, Thursday; Parkersburg South at John Marshall, Tuesday

Starting at /week.