Lady Blu-Jays push their record to 4-2 in week No. 1 of season

Blu-Jay hitter Ashlyn George goes for a kill during the tournament at Uniontown on Saturday, Sept. 6. (Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor)

The Pleasanton volleyball team started the first week of September by heading to Southern Coffey County for a tri-match. Pleasanton managed to take Southern Coffey County in two sets, 27-25 and 25-17. Then, they faced off with Uniontown. 

Pleasanton beat Uniontown in three sets; 25-16, 18-25 and 25-20. In those matches the top servers with six aces each were Willow Skipper and Natalie Bautista. At the net, Ashlan George managed 12 kills and 12 blocks.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, the team headed to Uniontown for a tournament. In the first matchup, Uniontown outlasted Pleasanton and won it in two sets, 25-13 and 26-24.

The Lady Blu-Jay volleyball team includes, front row from left, Maria Cox-Neal, Madison Reach, Jovee Lusher, Katrina Taylor, Aaliyah Marshall; back row, assistant coach Jyllian Carpenter, Olive Skipper, Willow Skipper, Natalie Bautista, Ashlan George, Alexandra Meik, Riley Hinton and head coach Mindy Schuler. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

Maria Neal-Cox delivers a serve at Uniontown. (Billy Roudybush / Journal contributor)

In the Lady Blu-Jays’ second match they tackled Christian Learning Center. Pleasanton fought hard but could not overcome the Christian Learning Center’s tenacity. Pleasanton dropped the match in two sets, 22-25 and 19-25. 

In the third match of the day, Pleasanton had an easy time defeating Altoona-Midway, 25-7 and 25-6. Then came Central Heights in an exciting and tense match that went back and forth. Pleasanton was able to overcome Central Heights fight and win it in three sets; 25-23, 15-25, 25-23.

During the tournament George had seven aces, 17 kills, 18 blocks and 73 digs. Skipper had four aces, 12 kills, 10 blocks, 24 digs, 18 assists and 63 sets. Maria Neal-Cox had two aces, five kills, one block, one assist and 68 digs.

However, early in this season the Lady Blu-Jays performance has been a team effort. The team is currently has a 4-2 record, and head coach Mindy Schuler and assistant coach Jyllian Carpenter are looking forward to a great season.