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‘Bring it home’: Patriots sweep Big Reds to punch ticket to state

By Kerry Patrick 6 min read

PARKERSBURG - In a Class AAAA South Regional co-final on Wednesday, getting Game 1 in the bag was pivotal for the Parkersburg volleyball team. Just as vital as Game 3 was to Parkersburg South and not allowing the Big Reds to stick around

Fortunately for the Patriots, both of those sets went their way. And unfortunately for the Big Reds, they didn't get rewarded for pushing South to the limit both games.

South earned a return trip to the state tournament (Nov. 12-14 in Charleston) by defeating PHS 27-25, 25-22, 27-25.

"It was about being confident in each other," said South coach Emily Tracewell after she watched her team erase a six-point deficit late in the third game. "Getting to state is the goal we say at the beginning of every single season. So it's nice to see the girls' hard work really pay off. I'm just thankful for our seniors and being able to have this opportunity again.

"We are going to keep working for a state championship the next few weeks to have a good ride at the tournament."

Natalie Lauer, one of two seniors on the roster, served 12 points with two aces for the match. In the third game, PHS led 19-13. Following a sideout, Lauer served six straight points. She profited from consecutive kills from Presley Allen which put the Patriots in front 20-19.

"We dug ourselves a little hole there in the third game, but we definitely came right back," Lauer said. "It was definitely a fight. We always know Parkersburg gives their best and it was going to be a tough game."

"This is so exciting - I'm so glad that we achieved our goal, but we still want to go farther and get past the first round."

South improves to 30-11-2, while PHS closes out the season at 14-23-4. The Big Reds made quick work of Riverside (10-25-2) in the first match of the night - in a meeting between the region's seventh-seeded Big Reds and 10th-seeded Warriors.

Other than a five-point run in the early stages of the second set, Riverside did not score more than two straight points at any time during their 25-10, 25-8, 25-9 defeat to PHS.

"The girls wanted that match and that helped a lot going into the South match," PHS coach Tammy Fisher said. "I think it got us more focused and ready to go."

PHS serving was spot on against Riverside after finishing with 14 aces, including three from Olive Nahley who finished with 16 points. With PHS in front 17-9 in the first set, Nahley served seven straight points. During that span, Chloe Gribble and Jillian Farley each contribute a pair of kills.

Nahley again gave Riverside trouble in the second set as part of an eight-point run which put the Big Reds in front 15-6. And once again, the Warriors were burnt by a pair of kills from both Gribble and Farley.

Teammate Grace Inboden found a comfort zone at the service line to clinch the win in the third set. She served six straight points as Kelina Utietiang joined the hit parade with two kills during that run.

Against second-seeded South, coach Fisher didn't waste any time using her first timeout after falling behind. The Big Reds tied the opening set at 10-10 before South's Jess Price went to work at the net for four kills as the Patriots maintained a 21-18 lead. An Ily Bowman kill ignited a 4-1 Big Red run to square the match at 22-22.

South built a 24-22 lead, but PHS fought off two match points. At 25-25, Price received a friendly roll over the net for a winner and a Big Red hitting error put the Patriots up one game to none.

In Game 2, South got the early jump and led 9-4 behind the net play of attacker Izzy Wilson supplying two kills. The Patriots increased the gap to 21-14 before PHS made a push and pulled to within 23-20 as Ily Bowman went to work on the front line with four kills at outside hitter.

Quinn Bolyard's kill off her own serve gave South game point at 24-20. PHS staved off two match points as Calista Mace and Gribble each banged home a winner.

Price then emerged with her presence for a kill at outside hitter and South was now just one game from advancing to state.

In game three, PHS forged ahead 10-7 as a host of hitters found open spots in the South defense. The Patriots faced a 19-13 deficit before the left-handed Allen applied some velo on a pair of winning hits to cap off a 7-0 run.

At 22-22, South's other senior, Lexi Smith, served an ace to give the Patriots match point at 24-22 and again PHS returned the favor with a three-point spurt.

"We knew if we worked hard ... we changed our lineup and it's working out really well for us," Smith said. "Personally, going to state feels like a very big accomplishment."

A kill from Farley handed PHS its first set point of the match at 25-24.

Wilson's kill off a tip followed by a Big Red hitting error put South in front 26-25. With Aubree Harner serving, Allen was given an ideal set on the right side of the net and the sophomore pounded it home for the game-winner.

"I was over there (on the right side) and really hoping it was going to me - I was like, I am going to get it," Allen said. "PHS always comes down and plays hard, and gives us a tough match. Our energy was so high tonight. We were just ready.

"It's so exciting to have these memories with your team - I just can't wait for the memories we are going to make."

PHS graduates four seniors but returns a host from the sophomore and freshman classes.

"I can't thank the seniors enough for everything they've done - I'm proud of all the girls," Fisher said. "At the middle of the season, we weren't doing very good then we really started coming on at the Spook Fest and then at MSAC.

"Tonight, the girls never gave up. They don't quit. Hats off to South. We wish them the best and would like to see them go for it. I told Emily as I was going through (the handshake line), I said 'bring it home.'"

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com

Class AAAA South Regional

At Parkersburg South High School

First Round

Parkersburg def. Riverside 25-10, 25-8, 25-9

Scoring

Riverside (10-25-2): Veazey 1 (1 ace), Holstein 1 (1 ace), Eggleton 4 (2 aces), Cervera 1

PHS (13-23-4): Grace Inbloden 10 (3 aces), Liddy Wilfong 6 (1 ace), Jillian Farley, Chloe Gribble 6 (3 aces), Calista Mace 12 (3 aces), Olive Nahley 16 (3 aces), Bella Bowman 4 (1 ace)

Regional Co-Final

Parkersburg South def. Parkersburg 27-25, 25-22, 27-25

Scoring

PHS (14-23-4): Calista Mace 4 (1 ace), Kelina Utietiang 4 (1 ace), Bella Bowman 2, Liddy Wilfong 3 (1 ace), Chloe Gribble 6, Grace Inboden 2.

South (30-11-2): Quinn Bolyard 4, Natalie Lauer 12 (2 aces), Lexi Smith 4 (1 ace), Presley Allen 1, Ella Collins 1

Next match: Parkersburg South at WVSSAC State Tournament in Charleston, Nov. 12-14

Starting at /week.