(Peru, Neb.) – It was a fitting way to end the Parents and Senior Day for the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat volleyball team as PSC defeated the visiting Central Methodist University (CMU) Eagles 3-1.
The Bobcats took the first two sets 25-21 and 25-19 before falling 25-20. Then, the 'Cats jumped to an early lead in the fourth set and cruised to a 25-16 win.
Peru State improved to 9-21 overall and 2-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The Eagles fell to 7-20 for the season and remain winless in the HAAC at 0-8.
Mathematically, the win still gives Peru State a shot at still making the HAAC post-season tournament that will begin on Nov. 1.
Prior to the game, the Bobcat players and their parents were recognized. A special recognition was given to the Bobcat seniors –
Becky Boshart,
Katlyn Donovan,
Tara Gonzalez,
Emily Maresh, and
Alicia Petak.
It was also Dig Pink day with the team sporting bright pink jerseys in support of breast cancer awareness and research.
Game Statistics
Tara Gonzalez (Lincoln) made the most of her senior day as she led the team with 12 kills and hit .280 in the game. Gonzalez also had one solo block and two block assists.
Brittany Peterson (Orem, Utah) and
Carrie Lierz (Holton, Kan.) each finished with nine kills while senior
Alicia Petak (Omaha) added eight kills and had a team-high hitting percentage of .500.
Lindsey Nelson (Granite Bay, Calif.) finished with six kills.
Courtney Jurek (Bellevue) had a career-high 30 assists, which is excellent in a two-setter system. Jurek also finished with two service aces.
Paige Riza (Ravenna, Texas) contributed 11 assists and had one block assist.
Defensively, seniors
Emily Maresh (Central City) and
Becky Boshart (Wood River) led the team respectively with 23 and 12 digs each. Maresh also had four service aces in the win.
Lierz and
Mallory Hull (Morse Bluff) each added eight digs while senior
Katlyn Donovan (Greeley) had five digs.
Peterson gained the teams other solo block and had four block assists. Lierz added one block assist.
CMU BOX SCORE
Maresh Career Updates
With her performances this week, Maresh continued her climb up the Bobcat Volleyball All-Time Records in one career category. Maresh is now third in digs with 1,980, only three behind second place. After the week, Maresh moved ahead of Afton Burr who finished with 1,968 digs while playing from 2005-08.
Maresh is currently third in digs, fifth in service aces, and fifth in serve receive attempts.
Upcoming Games
The Bobcats have two non-conference games this week before completing their HAAC season next Tuesday.
On Monday, Oct. 22, PSC will travel to Manhattan, Kan., to play Manhattan Christian College with the game scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Then, on Thursday, Oct. 25, the 'Cats will be in Lindsborg, Kan., to take on the Bethany College Swedes at 6 p.m.
Finally, on Tuesday, the final HAAC game will be against the Graceland University YellowJackets in Lamoni, Iowa. This will be a must win for PSC in order to make the HAAC post-season tournament. Presently, the YellowJackets are second in the HAAC with a 6-1 record. Game time is 7 p.m.
