HILLSVILLE-The Pulaski County Middle School volleyball team played in its first tournament in several years and came away the champion. The Cougars played four matches in the double elimination tournament and came away undefeated.
In the Cougars’ first match, they knocked off Carlisle 25-5, 25-5. Abby Bishop led the Cougars from behind the service line, going 10-for-10, while Axton Davis was 8-for-8, and Laine Cobbs was 5-for-5. Pulaski managed seven hits with Comley Meyer, Zaley Manns, and Maria Correa notching two each, and Bishop chipped in one. Cobbs and Addie Phillips combined for seven assists. Meyer and Correa were the top passers in set one.
In the next set, Phillips led the Cougars in serving with a 9-for-10 performance. Vivan Hash was 4-for-4, Cobbs 3-for-3, Correa 3-for-4, and Manns 1-for-2. Manns chipped in two hits, while Hash and Correa each tallied one. Cobbs and Phillips teamed for five assists and three tips. Meyer and Correa were the top passers.
In their next match, the Cougars downed Graham, 25-6, 25-5 to advance. Davis was 8-for-9 from the line, Cobbs 6-for-6, Hash 5-for-5, Manns 3-for-3, and McKenzie Robinson 1-for-1 for PCMS. Cobbs and Phillips combined for nine assists. Correa and Cobbs were the top passers in the first set.
Correa was 10-for-11 to lead the Cougars’ serving in set two. Phillips was 8-for-9, and Hash and Robinson were both 2-for-2. Robinson led the Cougars’ offensive attack with three hits, Bishop, Manns, Hash and Correa each tallied one. Cobbs had six assists. Meyer and Laila Sigmon were the top passers.
A familiar team was the Cougars’ next opponent and PCMS was able to get past Christiansburg, 25-15, 25-11. In set one against Christiansburg, Manns posted a 7-for-7 performance from the service line, while Davis was 6-for-6, and Meyer 5-for-5.
Manns collected five hits, Meyer three, and Bishop, Cobbs and Shepardson each added two. Cobbs, Phillps and Shepardson teamed for 11 assists and six tips. Cobbs, Meyer, Bishop, Manns, Correa, Phillips and Raegan Dean were top passers.
Phillips led the Cougars in serving, going 7-for-7, Riley Shepardson was 6-for-6, Manns 4-for-4, Bishop 3-for-3, Meyer 2-for-2, and Cobbs and Hash were both 1-for-1. Shepardson connected on six hits to lead PCMS’ offense, Meyer added five, while Bishop and Manns each added two, and Cobbs one.
Cobbs and Phillps combined forces for 14 assists and three tips. Shepardson, Cobbs, and Meyer were the top passers in the second contest.
In the championship, the Cougar spikers faced E.B. Stanley and claimed a 25-9, 25-16 victory to win the tournament.
In the first contest, Shepardson banged out three this, Meyer and Manns each added two, and Bishop and Hash one each. Cobbs and Phillips teamed for nine assists. Cobbs and Davis led the Cougars in serving, both going 7-for-7. Manns was 4-for-5, Meyer 3-for-3, and Bishop 1-for-2. Shepardson was the top passer.
Meyer and Manns led the way for PCMS in game two with five hits each, Correa chipped in two, and Shepardson, Bishop, Hash, and Robinson each added one. Cobbs and Phillips combined forces for 15 assists. Cobbs, Meyer, Bishop, Correa, Manns, Davis and Dean were the top passers.
The team received a first place plaque for their efforts.