Northwest Mississippi Volleyball Remains Undefeated With Win Over Pearl River
Senatobia, Miss. — The Northwest Mississippi Community College volleyball team remained undefeated Friday, defeating visiting Pearl River Community College in four sets. The Rangers improved to 23-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play.
Northwest edged Pearl River 25-15 and 25-7 in the first two sets. The Wildcats pushed back in the third, winning 32-30 after a lengthy battle that saw the Rangers fighting off set points. Northwest recovered in the fourth, overcoming an 18-13 deficit to win 25-22 and claim the match.
Head coach Allison Burchyett credited her team’s resilience and adjustments for the victory. “They brought their A game, and we had to make changes. I wanted them to earn points, not wait for them to be given,” she said. The team’s strong serving and balanced offense played a key role, she added.
In the opening set, Ariana Woods and Sofia Gonzalez combined for 10 kills, helping Northwest take a 25-15 win. The second set saw Reese McIntosh serve four aces during a 6-0 run that set the tone for a dominant 25-7 victory. Northwest hit .545 in that set, with 14 kills and only two errors.
The third set was highly competitive, with Pearl River holding off multiple set points before winning 31-30. Despite the setback, White said the team stayed focused. The Wildcats again led early in the fourth, but Northwest rallied. Dallas White’s solo kill sparked a comeback, and the Rangers secured the set 25-22 on kills from Woods, sealing the match.
Woods led all players with 20 kills, matching her season high, and Gonzalez added 14. White and Valerie Hurdle each contributed 12 kills. White also dished out 16 assists, while Chloe Rodriguez set a career-best 26 assists. The team’s serving was aggressive, with 14 aces on the night.
Defensively, the Rangers recorded 81 digs, led by Rose with 14. White and Gonzalez each finished with 12 digs, both completing double-doubles. The win marks the team’s third victory over a ranked opponent this season and improves their sets won record to 69-2.
White expressed confidence in the team’s potential. “We have the potential to go all the way to nationals. This win shows we can handle tough teams,” she said. The team will face East Central Community College at home before traveling to compete against ranked teams on the road, including No. 18 Lurleen B. Wallace and Enterprise State community colleges.
Coach Burchyett is eager for the challenges ahead. “Facing strong teams keeps us sharp. We’ll try different options and play consistent volleyball,” she said. Fans can follow the team’s progress at nwccrangers.com or through social media.
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