By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
East Hardy Volleyball declawed the Wildcats in straight sets during senior night in Baker: 25-5, 25-13 and 25-18.
The Cougars honored their senior duo of Morganne Miller and Emerson Pearce prior to the contest with a special ceremony with teammates lining up for hugs along with flowers and balloons to celebrate.
East Hardy Volleyball coach Marsha Hahn donned bright yellow pants for her seniors and an unexpected surprise was in store as this local sports reporter had matching pants.
Needless to say, the Cougars spirit was through the roof showing support throughout the night.
“What do the seniors mean to me…I have been working with Morganne for what feels like her whole life. For the work that she has put in and the athlete she has become, because of the work she’s done I couldn’t be more proud of her. It is her work ethic. It will be hard to find another kid who works as hard as she does in the gym. For me personally, I really am going to miss Morganne, because she’s just been with me as a hitter for four years and tried to do everything I asked her to do. Watching her become the hitter she is today is crazy. I have had Emerson now for a couple years and she battled through an injury. She has a good disposition and is always smiling. She is always coming in and trying to do what is set in front of her. We run a hard practice and she just comes in with a positive attitude everyday. These are hard shoes to fill,” East Hardy Volleyball assistant coach Chris Hahn commented.
“We saw a state tournament team here with No. 2 Pendleton County on the other side of the bracket. To come out of here with a win is really good momentum for the postseason.”
The Cougars pounced on Pendleton County 8-0 in the first set as Amelia Garrett delivered four aces and Morganne Miller slammed three spikes, while Xavia Barber created a point on an attack.
Emerson Pearce provided good digs and passes for the Cougars.
“I have a family here. It is really good to get this win. My goal is for us to go to state,” East Hardy senior Emerson Pearce stated.
Pendleton County’s Kinsley Price, Colbie Wimer and Brynlynn Waggy notched points on attacks for an 11-3 score.
A tap by Barber couldn’t be corralled as the Wildcats sent the ball careening into the net.
East Hardy’s Danica Wolfe served a pair of aces sandwiching two kills by Madison Kerr for a 17-3 advantage.
Kerr created two more points on attacks, then a volley from Barber was blocked out of play.
The Cougars finished off the opening set with an ace delivered by Kerr, 25-5.
East Hardy built a 5-0 edge in the second set as Miller slammed three points, Barber added another marker and Garrett served an ace.
An attack by Pearce was returned into the net as the Cougars took a 9-2 lead.
Madison Kerr scored twice off blocks for an 11-4 score.
A shot by Miller ricocheted up to the ceiling and failed to be redirected.
A serve by Pearce bounced off the top of the net and Pendleton County’s Phoebe Powell made a sliding dig save and Price tracked it down along the sideline keeping it in play.
Garrett notched a block and served up two aces before making a dig go over the net for a point as the Cougars took a 20-7 lead.
East Hardy’s Charlee Hahn garnered a dig with Barber saving the ricochet and Kerr finished with a spike to go up 24-10.
A couple errors and an ace by Wimer helped the Wildcats slice the deficit to 24-13.
An attack by Miller wasn’t returned for the second set’s match point as East Hardy won 25-13.
“It’s like a family. We have to uphold each other, because there is only eight of us. If someone’s down, there’s no one to come and save you and you really have to be there to support each other on the court. Other teams when there is a problem, they can pull them out. Our team we have to support each other, because we only have eight. This win really helps with our rankings for the state tournament and the rest of our pathway for this year. I look forward to the trips in the big van and Chris’ playlist,” East Hardy senior Morganne Miller remarked.
The third set featured seven ties before the Cougars took the lead for good at 14-13 with a block by Kerr followed up with an ace from Wolfe.
East Hardy’s Jaylynn Combs showed great hustle making digs and controlling the back row, in addition to serving an ace.
Barber and Pearce worked well on defense, while Miler kept attacking at the net to build a 24-17 lead.
Miller blocked the final volley against the Wildcats to secure the third set 25-18, 3-0.
In Class A Region II playoffs in Baker, Union edged Tucker County in five sets, then East Hardy beat the Tigers in straight sets.
In Class AA Region II playoffs, Moorefield lost to Berkeley Springs 3-0, then beat Braxton County in straight sets: 25-11, 25-10 & 25-7.
