By Stephen Smoot
Last week, the Wildcats made the lengthy trek north from Franklin to Paw Paw at the far western tip of Morgan County.
Though the bus took a more traditional route, many parents found that their GPS took them over an interesting relic. They had to drop $1.50 into a tin cup mounted on a pole as toll to cross a narrow one-lane privately owned bridge over the Potomac, if they took the recommended shortest route. That bridge actually originated, somehow, in a 1916 Department of War expenditure.
From the first moment of the game, Pendleton County found itself trying to traverse troubled waters while feeling like they were at war. Paw Paw, who in recent weeks took the Moorefield Yellow Jackets to five sets, came to play.
The opening set saw the usually sure-handed Wildcat servers firing into the net and struggling to get their bearings on the ball. One problem was likely the fact that behind the Paw Paw side was an open stage instead of a flat surface. The difference in what players in volleyball and basketball players call “lines” can affect perception during precision plays.
Paw Paw who opened up with a 4-1 lead, saw Colbie Wimer fire a scoring shot to the back line, then tallied the next three for a 6-2 lead early. Pendleton County continued to struggle to get their sea legs under them on the Paw Paw Pirate ship, however.
But the visiting squad battled and the home team made their own momentum dinging mistakes. Wildcat plays would bring the team within two, or within one, then see Paw Paw once again pull out to a three point advantage.
Alyssa Bennett seemed to right the ship somewhat. She came in with Pendleton County down 10-8. She drove two aces across to tie the game at 10. The Pirates edged ahead by one, but Breena Bowers popped the ball to Carolyn Varner, whose set led to Kinsley Price placing a shot to the middle to tie it again.
Then the Wildcats assumed the lead at 12-11 when Price executed a soft spike to the middle.
Not long after, Pendleton County seemed to take control when Callie Judy set up Bennett for a shot that put the team up 15-14. Then Tia Heavner’s spike extended the lead to two. A six to two Pirate run gave them a 20-17 lead going into the final serves of the set.
Pendleton County scored to get the serve back, then Heavner added an ace to pull within one. Judy set up a Price spike to tie the game, but Paw Paw squeezed out the next two points. They then gave one back by serving the ball out.
Bennett’s ace tied the score, but the Pirates once again took the next two. Up 24-22, they seemed poised to shock in the first set. Pendleton County scored the final four to steal the set. A Wimer spike to the far side and an ace by Chesnee Colaw allowed the visitors to escape.
Paw Paw plays defense consistently well and took away the power game of Pendleton County. Spikes rarely found the floor, mistakes after the first set were rarely made, and Paw Paw forced Pendleton County to play with patience to gain scores.
One of Paw Paw’s players, senior Shayla Tanouye, played every role with dominance. She could serve with power and precision. Though not taller than other players, her leaping ability made her a strong spiker. She could either set up her teammates or finish plays with equal prowess. Only in the closing set did fatigue diminish her game.
Only nine Pirates suit up for the squad and two lack experience prior to this season. While the Wildcats could substitute and rest often, Paw Paw played “ironman” volleyball. Each set started for them with great energy, but effort expended to keep up with the Wildcats wore them down, especially because each set was hotly contested almost to the last serve.
They also enjoyed loud and affectionate support from the mostly male student section.
Paw Paw raced to a 5-0 lead in set two, then extended that lead to 8-2. A Wimer spike got the serve back and Heavner built on that with an ace. The Wildcats clawed their way back as Brynlynn Waggy spiked on the defense to set the score at 11-7, then helped to pull her team within three by setting up a Wimer spike.
Again, however, the Pirates surged. Pendleton County pulled to within 13-10, but Paw Paw went on a four to one run to take a seemingly commanding 17-10 advantage. The Wildcats powered back. Phoebe Pownell launched a powerful spike. Then the Wildcats scored six of the next seven to pull within one at 18-17. Colaw’s ace topped the run.
The next set, number three, also went to extra serves. Paw Paw led nearly the entire time until a Bennett tap grazed the net and dropped to the Pirate side of the floor. That knotted the set at 21. Heavner hit a scoring shot followed by a Bowers ace. Up 23-21, Pendleton County looked poised to end the set and game, but gave up six of the next eight scored. Paw Paw triumphed 27-25 to the delight of their enthusiastic fans.
Winning the set gave satisfaction to the home team and seemed to consume much of what energy remained in their collective tank. In the fourth set, they took an early three to one lead, but that quickly evolved into a 10-4, then 13-5 lead for the Wildcats.
Pendleton County had a 21-15 lead late, but Paw Paw rattled off three in a row. A Waggy spike gave a little room at 22-18, then a Judy ace helped the team close the set and end the game.
Paw Paw’s team and fans turned their effort into a near victory celebration. As the Pirates left the floor, the boys in the student section formed a receiving line and high-fived each player.
Even in loss, the Pirate team and fans showed tremendous pride in pushing Pendleton County as hard as they could. The Wildcats did not play well, but settled in, battled, and earned a hard-fought victory over a feisty and proud Paw Paw squad when they themselves lacked their sharpest edge.
The Wildcats travel today to Elkins. Tuesday, regular season play ends on the road at East Hardy.
