ELLISVILLE, Miss. — A historic turnaround season came to an end Sunday afternoon as Pearl River volleyball's remarkable 2025 campaign concluded in the Region 23 Championship match, falling 3-0 (18-25, 16-25, 13-25) to rival Jones College.

It was a special year for the Wildcats, who bounced back from a 14-24 campaign a season ago to finish as the 2025 Region 23 Runner-up with a 28-11 record. Pearl River's 28 wins marked the most in a single season in program history.

"It was a successful season in my book," head coach Haley Chatham said. "We broke some records, pulled out a bunch of wins and saw a tremendous turnaround from the season before. More importantly, we got to see a group of girls turn into strong women. We saw them make sacrifices for others, lead with love and truth, and look out for each other without hesitation.

"I'm proud and thankful for each and every one of them."

Numerous Wildcats etched their names into the record books throughout the year. Avery Wheat (Gonzales, La.; East Ascension) set the single-season record for kills, while freshman Lila Willett (Chelsea, Ala.) moved into second place on the same list. Claire Smith (Coldwater; Lewisburg) broke both the single-season and career assist records in her first year with the program, and Jordyn Wilks (Independence, La.; Hammond Magnet) shattered both the single-season and career records for digs.

MATCH RECAP
Pearl River (28-11 overall) came out strong, taking five of the first six points against Jones College (29-4). Morgan Mears (Hurley; East Central) opened the match by splitting two defenders with a kill, and Reagan Ziegler (Lacombe, La.; Lakeshore) and Wheat teamed up for a big block at the net to make it 5-1.

Jones quickly answered with a 7-0 run to go ahead 8-5. The Wildcats clawed back to even things at 12-12, helped by a left-handed knuckleball serve from Skyla Rann (Gonzales, La.; East Ascension), but the Bobcats pulled away late to take the opening set 25-18.

Pearl River jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in set two behind a combo block from Ziegler and Olivia Shirley (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) and a Willett kill. However, Jones again surged ahead midway through and closed the frame 25-16.

The Wildcats showed their fight once more in the third, erasing an early deficit to tie things at 9-9. Jones ultimately held firm, using a late run to seal the 25-13 set and the championship victory.

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