Patriots fall to Hooper in regionals

Published 9:10 pm Monday, October 24, 2011

Pike Liberal Arts volleyball season came to an end Monday in the AISA regional tournament after they fell in straight games to Hooper Academy, 25-9, 26-24, 25-18, at the Will and Kelly Wilson Community and Athletic Center on the campus of Huntingdon College.

“We just got beat,” head coach Mendy Avant said after the match. “It’s hard to explain because we played them tough this season. They just beat us.”

Pike didn’t help themselves either as they were called for eight double hits, four coming in game one.

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Marlee Tunstill fired a shot into the middle of the Colt defense sparking a 4-0 Patriot run to tie the first game at 5-5. It would not be enough, however, as Hooper took advantage of Patriot miscues to rout Pike, 25-9.

Things looked to turn around for Pike in game two as the Patriots took a 6-2 lead early thanks to strong serves by Mary Margret Starling.

PLAS would build a 21-15 advantage but struggled to put the game away and left the door wide open for the Colts to creep back into the game. The Patriots watched their lead slip away falling 26-24.

The third game was much of the same as Pike had trouble returning Hooper serves.

For the match, Jaylan Reynolds finished with three kills, two digs and a block.

Kailee Taylor had four digs, two kills and an ace.

Shelby Baggett chipped in with five digs and two kills.

The Patriots finish the season with a record of 9-8.