September 17, 2024

West Marshall downs PCM volleyball in conference opener

Mustangs can’t overcome close loss in first set

By Troy Hyde
Rebecca De Vries Addyson Pederson

PCM senior Rebecca De Vries, center, and sophomore Addyson Pederson attempt to block West Marshall's Lily Zahnd at the net during a Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference matchup in State Center on Monday. (Jake Ryder/Marshalltown Times-Republican)

STATE CENTER — Not even a strong start to the match helped PCM against West Marshall on Monday.

The Mustangs were edged 25-23 in the opening set of their Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference matchup with the Trojans and the hosts cruised from there, winning the final two sets 25-19, 25-16.

“We really came out strong and stayed with West Marshall through the first set, finishing just short of the win,” PCM head volleyball coach Sarah De Vries said. “The whole match felt a little like a roller coaster with each team having highs and lows.”

Peyton Lathrum

PCM freshman Peyton Lathrum (32) puts down an attack shot at the net against West Marshall on Monday. (Photo by Jake Ryder/Marshalltown Times-Republican)

West Marshall led the second set 10-2 and 22-7 before PCM rallied to get within 22-18. But the Trojans finished off the win and continued that momentum into the third and final set.

It was the first win of the season for West Marshall, which has won six of the last seven matches in the series.

“In the second set, West Marshall came out strong and we were down by more than 12 points,” De Vries said. “But we fought our way back with a rally of (Lindsay) serving and winning at the net.”

Tori Lindsay led the Mustangs with 16 assists, 11 digs and three aces. Addyson Pederson put down a career-high eight kills and added two blocks, Rebecca De Vries chipped in five kills and two blocks and Libby Winters tallied three kills, three blocks and 10 digs.

Peyton Lathrum added a career-best four kills and registered two blocks and two digs, Addison Steenhoek posted nine digs and two assists and Addi Hudnut collected five digs.

The Mustangs (5-3, 0-1 in the HOIAC) were 51-of-59 in serves with Lindsay going 23-of-24. PCM also had 10 blocks.

Lily Zahnd led the Trojans (1-8, 1-0) with a match-high 11 kills, while Avery Evertsen chipped in nine kills and four blocks.

Natalie Nichols added 19 assists, Rachel Randall tallied 17 digs and Reese Jensen posted 14 digs and three aces.

“The difference maker was West Marshall’s strong attack of (Evertsen) and (Zahnd) that our block had a hard time defending,” Coach De Vries said. “I’m proud of our girls and how they continued to fight through this match, but we also know we have things to keep working on in practice.”