Blues hang on to beat Red Pride

By Dana Jones Correspondent
Published: September 18, 2008

GREENVILLE – Parry McClure pulled off a win over Riverheads in five games 25-23, 14-25, 21-25, 26-24, 15-13 on Thursday.
The first game went back and forth between the Fighting Blues and the Gladiators. McClure started to take off after a few errors from Riverheads and a quick kill from Kayla Harmon. A kill from Bri King followed by a sneaky tip from Harmon ended the game in McClure’s favor.
The Gladiators took control in the second game, not letting much cross the net from the Blues. A four-point run from Riverheads forced a timeout on the McClure side, but that didn’t stop the Gladiators from racking up the points. Kills from Gladiator Kristen Moody and a last minute block finished off the Blues.
Riverheads came out in the third game just as fired up as the last, forcing errors and short hits from McClure causing the Blues the game.
“In the first game we came out and jumped on them early, then they started to come back,” said Parry McClure coach Lindsey Fitzgerald. “I guess we lost momentum and confidence.”
The fourth game played out similar to the first with a see-saw momentum. Riverheads’ Kacey Hostetler fired one into the middle of the court, tying the game at 24. A net shot from the Gladiators followed by McClur’s King kill ended it and split the games.
“I told the girls to celebrate every point because every point matters,” Fitzgerald said. “You can’t play to 25, you have to play to each point.”
The final game started in Riverheads’ favor, causing McClure to fight its way back. A kill from King followed by another kill from Jessica Jolley brought the Blues the lead. A few errors on the Gladiators’ side plus a kill from Harmon finished it all.
“My girls played great, they didn’t give up,” said Riverheads coach Whitney Dove. “They played hard. We have districts on Tuesday and they’re ready, that’s when it really matters.”
McClure’s Harmon had 14 kills and six blocks while Sara Harmon had six kills and 22 assists. Riverheads’ Tiffany Flesher had six kills and 11 blocks while Brooke Eavers and Moody each had eight kills.
Riverheads faces Wilson Memorial on Tuesday.