McPHERSON, Kan. – The McPherson Bullpup volleyball team had an outstanding day on Saturday, winning all five matches with four wins over 5A and above schools.
The Bullpups opened pool play with a 25-12, 25-14 win over 6A Wichita Heights. They followed that with a 25-17, 15-25, 25-14 win over 5A Salina South. In the final match of pool play, McPherson had a rematch against Garden City, whom they lost to in their home tournament in late August. This time, though, the Bullpups pulled through over the Buffaloes, who are currently in the #4 spot in the 6A West standings. McPherson took the match in straight sets, 25-21 and 25-19.
“Our team brought great energy and joy, as they competed and executed our goals,” said head coach Christy Doile of the Garden City win.
The 3-0 record in pool play put the Bullpups up against Garden Plain in the semifinals. They won that match 25-21, 25-19 to move on to the championship. In the final match, they faced the current number two seed in the 5A West standings, Bishop Carroll. After a 25-16 loss in the first set, McPherson recovered to win the next two 25-19 and 25-21 to take the match in three sets.
“As a coaching staff, we are very proud of our girls and their mental approach to this tournament,” said Doile. “We made huge strides!”
Rylie Whitfield went over 600 assists for the season from her setter position as she handed out 116 assists in the five matches combined. Piper Solofra had a great day in the middle with 40 kills and nine blocks on defense. Carmin Pavlovich added 36 kills and Harper Rierson had 32. Elles Pavlovich had a team-high in digs again with 53, followed by her sister Carmin with 40 and Whitfield added 26. Everlee Buchman led the team with seven service aces.
McPherson is now 25-8 on the season and currently sits in fourth in the 4A West standings. They have just four regular season matches remaining as their next competition will be in Clearwater in a triangular along with Collegiate on Tuesday night. They will finish the regular season at home on Thursday with an AVCTL Triangular against Winfield and Mulvane on Senior Night.
