PCM Volleyball Season Cut Short by Williamsburg in Playoffs

The PCM volleyball team concluded one of its most successful seasons on a disappointing note, falling to the Williamsburg Raiders in the Class 3A Region 5 quarterfinals on October 31, 2023. The Mustangs faced Williamsburg for the first time since 2016 and lost decisively in straight sets, with scores of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-11. This defeat marked the Mustangs’ fourth consecutive loss to the Raiders since 2014, with this match being the first instance of a three-set sweep during this timeframe.

Despite the team’s early exit from the postseason, the season overall was a significant achievement for PCM. The Mustangs finished with a record of 23 wins and 6 losses, marking their highest win total since setting a school record with 25 victories in 2005. Under the leadership of their coaches and players, PCM demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the season.

Libby Winters was a standout performer for the Mustangs, contributing nine kills, 11 digs, two assists, and three aces in the match against Williamsburg. Tori Lindsay also played a pivotal role, recording 11 assists along with three kills and six digs. Other notable contributions came from Addi Hudnut, who registered four assists and eight digs, while Jorja Teeter added seven digs to the team’s efforts.

The Mustangs struggled with their serve reception, missing a total of 12 serves out of 45 attempts, finishing with a serving accuracy of 73%. Despite this setback, they managed to secure six aces during the match. Notably, Winters served perfectly, making all 10 of her attempts, while Lindsay successfully completed 7 out of 8 serves.

On the opposing side, Williamsburg, with a record of 21-11, continued its playoff campaign, although they faced a challenging opponent in the regional semifinals. They were eliminated shortly after, losing in straight sets to Roland-Story, currently ranked 10th in Class 3A. The Raiders’ season ended as they prepared for the regional championship match against fifth-ranked Humboldt, scheduled for 19:00 on November 7 in Humboldt.

As the PCM volleyball team reflects on a season filled with triumphs and challenges, they look forward to building on this foundation for future competitions. The experience gained this year will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for the players and coaching staff in their quest for continued improvement and success.