The Pratt Community College volleyball team returned from the Quiznos Classic for the 2017 home opener and to begin KJCCC West Division play against Cloud County Community College in the Dennis Lesh Sports Arena. In a hard fought match between the Beavers and the T-Birds, the Blue and White used the energy from the home crowd and several runs over the course of the match to get their first win of the 2017 season. PCC defended the Dome with a 3-0 (25-22; 25-19; 25-18) sweep of Cloud CC.

"First of all, I would like to say thank you to the fans for the electric atmosphere in the Dennis Lesh Arena tonight," said PCC head coach, Jenny Mueller. "What an amazing crowd! I'm thrilled with the way the team competed tonight."

Pratt found themselves down early in Set One after falling behind 2-9. The Beavers rallied and went on a 16-2 run to capture the lead. Cloud fought back coming within a point of tying the set at 23-22. The Blue and White stopped the rally and took the final two points for a 25-22 Set One win.

"While we dug ourselves a hole early in the first set, with some key kills and a few mistakes by Cloud we were able to come back and really gain control of the court," Mueller said. "Our volleyball IQ is continuing to increase and that was evident with several players on the offensive side. We knew Cloud was going to serve low and deep to try to keep us out of system. We knew there would be several plays were we would face double blocks, but that doesn't mean there isn't court space available to score."

Set Two saw PCC and Cloud lock up and battle with neither team backing down and trading points late into the set. The Beavers closed the set out with another rally and went on a 10-5 run. The Blue and White won Set Two 25-19 and had a 2-0 lead going into Set Three.

Similar to Set Two, both teams battled back and forth trading points for most of Set Three. Pratt ended Set Three with a 9-4 run to take the set at 25-18 and the match sweep.

"The combination of power swings and intelligent decision making of our fairly balanced offense put us in a place where we were able to score effectively," Mueller said. "I was also proud of our court presence in defense and serve receive. Knowing the spaces you have to cover is essential, and I feel we had a strong knowledge of not only where we were on the court but the court boundaries as well."

The Blue and White improve to 1-4 on the early season. The Beavers are now 1-0 in KJCCC play.

"One thing that will continue to set this group apart is our team chemistry," Mueller said. "Our sideline is full of energy and excitement and strategic information for those on the court. They have a strong awareness that we win and lose as a team. If you aren't contributing to your team's efforts to win, then you are contributing to a possible loss. We go into this weekend with momentum and confidence. I'm excited for the opportunity to compete again and prove what we can do."  

PCC volleyball travels to Great Bend, KS on Sept. 1 and 2 for the Barton Cougar Classic before returning to the Dome on Sept. 6 for a match against Barton Community College. First serve of the match will be at 6:30 p.m.