POPLARVILLE, Miss — Pearl River volleyball showcased strong play and energy across three sets, pushing Northwest in every set before ultimately falling 3-0 (24-26, 17-25, 22-25. 

Pearl River (13-6 overall; 7-1 MACCC) and Northwest (17-3; 7-1) opened set one with a back-and-forth battle that featured four ties and four lead changes before either team reached the five-point mark. Claire Smith (Coldwater; Lewisburg) made an early impact recording two assists and a kill during that stretch.  

Both teams traded points to a 17-13 Northwest lead before Smith delivered a high-arching set to Mallory Hesterman (Brooklyn; Homelife Academy) who hammered it home and sparked a 4-1 Pearl River run, cutting the deficit to 18-17. 

Trailing late in the set, the Wildcats battled back to tie the game at 24 before narrowly dropping the first set 26-24.  

The Wildcats got off to a slow start in the second set, falling behind 13-5, before three thunderous kills by Lila Willett (Chelsea Ala.) sparked a five-point run, putting them back to within three, 13-10. 

Pearl River battled throughout the rest of the set, trading points in a back-and-forth stretch. Willett and Reagan Ziegler (Lacombe, La; Lakeshore) each delivered key kills off assists from Smith, keeping the Wildcats within striking distance. Despite their effort, Northwest closed out the set 25-17.  

The third set was tightly contested through the first eight points, featuring four ties and five lead changes. Pearl River broke a 6-6 deadlock and went on a 4-1 run — capped by a Smith service ace — to take a 10-7 lead.  

The set continued with six more ties and five additional lead changes before reaching 19-19, highlighted by three kills from Avery Wheat (Gonzales La; East Ascension) off assists from Smith.  

Pearl River went on to drop the third set 25-22, falling in the match. 

NEXT UP 
Pearl River travels Wednesday at 6 p.m. to play Meridian. The match will be livestreamed at MCCEagles.live. 

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