In a finale to the 2018 season, the Pratt Community College volleyball team took on Hutchinson Community College in the opening round of the Region VI Tournament. The Beavers came into the matchup as the No. 6 seed in the conference standings and traveled to take on the No. 3 seeded Blue Dragons at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Hutchinson took the victory over Pratt 3-0 (25-18; 25-20; 25-15).
A 12-8 Hutchinson lead started the first set. Pratt remained down, but never out. The first two kills of the game for the Beavers came from middle blocker Elise Baranco, who helped fuel a 3-point run that closed the gap to 13-12. A double block by Baranco and setter Olivia Hessman topped off the run and evened the score 14-14. Hutch continued to earn points offensively and take the set 25-18.
The Beavers took first blood in set two. A left-side kill by outside hitter Stephanie Reichenberger gave the Beavers their first lead of the match. A back-and-fourth battle ensued as both teams took turns scoring points. Initially in a stalemate at 6-6, the Beavers went on a run that earned them their largest leading margin of the match (12-7) and forced a Hutchinson timeout.
Eventually, Hutch started to regain their offensive prowess and tie the set at 14-all. PCC called a timeout of their own after the score became even once again. Aggressive serving from the Blue Dragons helped them retake the lead. A 3-point run after the timeout allowed Hutchinson to win the set later on. The closest that the blue and white came within a lead again was at the 19-17 mark of the second set.
The Beavers produced their lowest score of the night in set three, but their performance offensively was not to blame. Although they only scored 15 points, PCC earned 12 kills and had their best team hitting percentage (.323) in the 3-set contest. Set three was a reflection of how the game unfolded most of the night as Pratt continuously earned points off the swing, but a determined Hutchinson side made little errors to give points away.
In each set, Pratt earned 12 or more kills in an attempt to be the first to hit the 25-point mark. Very seldom did Hutchinson allow themselves to get blocked from the attack or aced from the serve. PCC finished with only a single service ace and four blocks during the entire match.
Even with large numbers of kills and high hitting percentages, Pratt was unable to take a set from the Blue Dragons.
Offensively, Pratt had numerous individuals who stood out on the box score. Baranco led the team in kills with eight while swinging .353. Reichenberger and middle blocker Rylee Turner each earned seven kills. Turner did not have a single hitting error in the match and had a team-high hitting percentage (.538). Even Hessman contributed with four kills from the setter position. However, individual performances were not enough to throw off Hutchinson in any set.
The game marks the third time that the two conference opponents have matched up this season. A loss this time around eliminates Pratt from the postseason and the remainder of Region VI competition.
PCC volleyball will compete again in regular season play next Fall. Until then, The Beavers will participate in Spring exhibition competitions in early 2019. Stay tuned to gobeaverssports.com for all volleyball news through the off season.