CHARLESTON — The Morgantown High School volleyball team will play for a state championship for the second consecutive season after two 3-0 sweeps on Wednesday in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the WVSSAC Class AAA state volleyball tournament.
MHS defeated Parkersburg South in the quarterfinals 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-11) to begin the day in a dominating display. The Patriots saw their only lead early in the first set at 9-8 but it didn’t last long at all as the Mohigans responded well and used some powerful serving and offense to overrun their opponents.
“Our team came out and stuck to what they do best today,” MHS head coach Erica Manor said after the semifinal win. “They controlled the narrative and were aggressive on our serve. Offensively we moved the ball around and took care of business.”
Sophomore Paige Brink had 14 kills in the quarterfinals with only one hitting error in the entire match and the attack of MHS left no room for any response out of PSHS.
The Patriots are a familiar opponent to MHS as Wednesday’s match was the third of the season between the pair.
As for the semifinals against Woodrow Wilson, the Mohigans hadn’t matched up previously with their opponents and other than some quick film between lunch and arriving for the match, didn’t know much.
When it comes to that sort of scenario says Manor, it’s important for her team to stick to who they are and play their game.
That’s exactly what the Mohigans did from the jump as they quickly got out to a 5-2 lead in the first set against WW that grew to 12-5 and eventually as large as 20-9. MHS would secure the first set 25-16.
“At the end of the day, what matters is what we do on our side of the court,” Manor said.
The Flying Eagles jumped out to an early lead in the second set, but just as they had done in the opening match of the day against Parkersburg South, the Mohigans responded with a rally to snatch the lead that they wouldn’t surrender. A late push from WW saw the score as close as four late in the set, but MHS held strong to go in front 2-0 in the match by winning set two 25-19.
The third set saw the same script as the ones before it with MHS gaining control and slamming the door shut on any chance for Woodrow to mount any sort of comeback. A 25-10 victory in set three secured MHS a spot in the Class AAA state championship for the second consecutive season. The Mohigans were bested last season by Musselman.
“This is our second time in a row so I think we are a little more seasoned this time around,” Manor said about going into the championship match. “Come out with poise and confidence in our ability and our skill that we’ve put so much work into this season.”
The Mohigans will square off against Musselman in the Class AAA state championship this afternoon in Charleston after the conclusion of the Class AA final that begins at 11:00 a.m.
