The Pratt Community College volleyball team traveled to Great Bend, Kan. for a two-day competition hosted by Barton County Community College. PCC competed in 4 matches including 1 conference game against Barton County. Pratt started the first day of the tournament with a 3-set loss to Casper College 0-3 (22-25; 18-25; 18-25). The blue and white continued the day with a high-intensity match-up against Cloud County Community College. Pratt took their former conference opponent to 5 sets but fell short in the end 2-3 (24-26; 32-30; 18-25; 25-22; 14-16). The Beavers faced Clarendon College, and Barton County during the second day of action. Pratt came away with their first win of the tournament against Clarendon in 4 sets 3-1 (25-22; 23-25; 25-22; 25-16). PCC finished the competition by facing off against the host team, Barton County, in the first conference game of the season. Pratt came up short against the Cougars 0-3 (12-25; 16-25; 22-25).
The Beavers' first match against Casper showed many ups and downs. Pratt was able to put up several quality attack attempts but failed to sufficiently score points. PCC went on several momentum filled runs to keep in the game during each set. Pratt sustained a lead early on in some sets, but it was not enough to take away from Casper. The Beavers fell 0-3.
"Casper was a big team with solid blocking and defense. While we didn't come up with the win it was good to see our team come back from a deficit," said head coach Jenny Mueller.
PCC went on to face former conference foe Cloud County. PCC lost the contest 2-3, but provided a challenge for their opponent the whole match. 3 of the 5 sets were decided by a 2 point margin of victory. Outside hitter Stephanie Reichenberger racked up a team-high of 14 kills for Pratt. The team also had 10 services aces in the 5-set contest. The Beavers held several leads throughout each set, including the fifth set where they traded-off match points with the Thunderbirds. A late missed serve by the Beavers put Cloud County ahead in the final set.
The tables turned for Pratt during the second day of competition. PCC started the day by defeating Clarendon in 4 sets. Pratt quickly proved that they were the superior team. In the first set alone the Beavers scored 17 kills. Setter/Right-side hitter Morgan Bullinger had a particular breakout match with a triple double of 12 kills, 17 assists and 10 digs. A high volume of point scoring gave Pratt an early 2-0 set lead. Clarendon managed to find a way to battle back and win set 3 by 2 points. This however, did not halter the blue and white. Pratt bounced back in the fourth set to take a commanding 25-16 victory and win the match 3-1.
Pratt's final opponent of the classic was Barton County. This gave PCC their first taste of conference play this season. The conference rivals used their home court advantage well and defeated Pratt in straight sets. The Beavers began to find their rhythm late it set 3, but it was too late. Pratt's first conference game ended in a defeat 0-3.
"The Barton tournament was a good learning experience for us. Teams all across the country are working their way out of preseason mode. This weekend reinforced our need to minimize the amount of controllable errors and, find a way to decisively earn our own points," said Mueller.
PCC volleyball competes next at home when they host #17 Hutchinson Community College. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.