By KIM NELSON
The Pulaski County Middle School volleyball team opened the 2023 season with a hard-fought victory over Andrew Lewis Tuesday night in Salem.
The Cougars dropped the first game 21-25 before battling back to claim game two 25-19 and won the tiebreaker, 15-9, to open the season, 1-0.
Bailey Viars and Ainsley Vaughan led the Cougars from behind the service line, both going 6-for-6. Ryleigh Dean finished 4-for-4 and Sandy Santos 2-for-2. Jagger Davis connected on four hits, Viars and Natalie Kinder each chipped in two. Dean and Vaughan combined forces for six assists and seven tips. Vaughan, Davis, and Gracie Painter were the top passers in the opening contest.
Things looked much better in game two as the Cougars seemed to settle down and put the nerves behind them. Dean was 7-for-7 from the service line to lead the way for the Cougars. Vaughan finished 6-for-7, while Davis and Painter were both 4-for-4.
Davis pounded out seven hits, while Viars chipped in two and Painter one. Dean and Kinder teamed for four tips, while Vaughan was the top passer. Dean and Vaughan teamed for nine assists.
In the deciding game, Vaughan helped the Cougars jump out to a commanding 10-0 lead with a 10-for-10 serving performance. Dean accounted for three assists and Painter was the top passer.
Pulaski County also claimed the B game with a 25-14 win. Kaya Harriman was the top server, going 7-for-7. Adalyn Arnold was 4-for-5, while Devae Carter, Isobella Osborne and Aundrea Stump were all 2-for-3. The Cougars will travel to Fort Chiswell on Thursday.