POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Pearl River volleyball team had its final tune-up match before the Region 23 Tournament Tuesday evening, dropping a 3-1 (20-25, 14-25, 25-23, 25-20) contest against NAIA foe Louisiana Christian.
"I think tonight we played like we haven't had a match in a week, and that's because we haven't. Probably poor scheduling on my part, but I am really glad we were able to play it and get back into that routine before this weekend."
Although the match didn't go the Wildcats' way, Pearl River still had a reason to celebrate as sophomore setter Jolee Gibson (Brandon) recorded her 522nd assist of the year — a new single-season record.
"Jolee has been so solid and steady for us for two straight seasons. She's a quiet force, but she really puts us on her back and plays an incredibly crucial role in our success set after set," Chatham said. "Even though it's a critical position and these players literally touch the ball every play when they are on the court, setters just don't get much glory and fanfare, so I am thrilled for her to have her moment and be recognized and appreciated. She absolutely deserves it."
MATCH RECAP
Louisiana Christian (12-8 overall) jumped out to a 4-1 advantage to begin the first set before Sammie Smith (Biloxi; D'Iberville), Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) and Natalie Bartholomew (Brandon) each picked up kills to help the Wildcats (21-13) move ahead 5-4.
A seven-point run helped LC retake the lead 11-5 and was briefly broken up by a Hoffmayer kill. Pearl River pulled within four points at 18-14 following a Smith kill, but Louisiana Christian put its foot on the gas to extend the lead to 22-15.
A trio of LC errors combined with a pair of Bartholomew kills and a Smith ace cut the Wildcat deficit to just two points, 22-20, but Louisiana Christian closed the set out with a 25-20 victory.
Back-and-forth was the name of the game in the second set as the teams battled out to a 10-9 score early on. PRCC kept the deficit within two points, 14-12, but LC went on an 11-2 run to close out the set, 25-14.
Pearl River jumped out to a 6-3 advantage in set three on the back of two Lillie Franks (Ocean Springs) kills and a few errors by Louisiana Christian. PRCC's lead grew to 11-8 midway through the set on a pair of kills by Bartholomew and Smith.
LC roared back to even up the match at 13 apiece before the Wildcats went on a nice 5-1 run to take an 18-14 lead. PRCC continued to hold its own down the stretch and eventually took the set after a Madi King (Leakesville; Greene County) kill, 25-23.
PRCC and LC traded points in the early going of the fourth set, finding themselves in an 8-6 fight in the beginning portion. Louisiana Christian pushed ahead by six points, 12-6, but a Smith kill and two LC errors made the score 12-9.
The Wildcats got within two points soon after when Lauren McLamore (Brandon) dropped in an ace. The set continued to be close throughout, but Louisiana Christian eventually closed it out with a 25-20 victory.
NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to Shivers Gymnasium Friday as it hosts Northeast in the Region 23 Tournament Semifinals. The match begins at 3 p.m. For more information on the Region 23 Tournament, visit PRCCAthletics.com.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now for $12 and can be purchased at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Pearl River box offices are CASHLESS. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted at the box office. Fans are encouraged to beat the lines and purchase their tickets in advance.
TUNE IN
All matches for the 2023 Region 23 Tournament will be livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon, Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).