The Pratt Community College volleyball team used the rowdy crowd in the Dennis Lesh Sports Arena and scoring streaks in key moments against Barton Community College. The Beavers defended the Dome with a three set sweep of Barton 25-22, 26-24, and 25-21. 

Pratt fell behind early in Set One after Barton put up five straight points. The Blue and White countered, winning the next four points to gain the lead 11-10. Barton sparked the offense and gained a 15-21 lead over the Beavers. PCC rallied by scoring the final six points and ten of the last eleven to take Set One 25-22.

Using the momentum from the late rally, the Blue and White looked like they would run away with Set Two with a 12-4 lead. Barton staged a huge comeback behind several runs and tied the match at 18 points. Barton reached set point 22-24 before Pratt strung together a run of their own winning the final four points and the set with a 26-24 win.

Set Three saw the Beavers run out to an early lead at 12-5. Barton would not go away and chipped away at the lead. Barton cut the lead to two points at 22-20, but Pratt's defense held strong trading points and closing the match out with a 25-21 Set Three victory. 

"The crowd provided a great atmosphere once again in the Dennis Lesh Sports Arena," said Head Coach Jenny Mueller. "It was a big three set conference win for us against Barton. Brandon (Stephenson) runs a great program. I was pleased that we were able to get some bigger runs in this match. However, we also opened the door and let them back in. That's something weill continue to keep as a focus. While we struggled in serve receive, our transition offense came up with definite swings and ball placement kills." 

The offense for the Blue and White was balanced against Barton. Lexi Schamberger led with nine kills. Brooke Menhusen, Stephanie Reichenberger and Allison Rose all contributed with eight kills each, and Jordan Jones put down 6 kills. Taylor Groen-Younger put town three of her own. Reichenberger was a strong force at the net with two solo and two assist blocks. Rose put up two assist blocks, and Menhusen and Groen-Younger both had an assist block. Rose led the defense with 13 digs. Paige Brown followed with 11 digs. Groen-Younger had 10 digs. Rounding out the defense, Gabrielle Ediger, Schamberger and Naomi Warren picked up six, five, and five digs respectively. Groen-Younger had a solid night with 35 assists.  

Pratt volleyball improves to 2-0 in the KJCCC and 3-7 overall for the season. Barton falls to 8-5 on the season. 

"We still have to bring our minuses down and make the easy plays look easy," Mueller said. "But I see the progress we've made and I'm looking forward to reaching our potential in the matches to come."

PCC volleyball travels to the Coffeyville Community College Tournament on Sept 8 and 9 for four matches in two days. The Blue and White then travel to Dodge City on Sept 11 before returning to the Dome on Sept 13.