The PCC Volleyball Team advanced to the Region VI semi-finals by defeating #17 nationally ranked Coffeyville on Tuesday night: 30-32, 30-24, 23-30, 35-33, 15-12. Pratt will now face Cowley at 1:00 on Saturday in Chanute.
Pratt was able to get past Coffeyville by relying on a defense that has given the Beavers a foundation for success this year. The Beavers struggled offensively, but managed to hang on with their trademark defensive grit, most notably in an intense fourth game that stretched to 35-33. Pratt used their momentum to take the fifth game, in which they never trailed. Lacey Olin led all hitters with 17 kills, followed by Kelly Settle and Mandy Zeka with 12 apiece. Four players finished in double figures in digs, led by Courtney Purcella with 22. Chelsey Leonard had a season high 16, followed by Taylor Randall and Heather Williams with 11 each. Williams also dished out 46 assists. Ashley Simons had an incredible .875 hitting percentage on 7 of 8 with no errors. Mandy Zeka also performed exceptionally in the middle, going 12 of 26 with no errors for a .462 average.
"Though we had a strong performance from Zeka in the middle, it was really our late match defense that allowed us to pull this out," said Head Coach Patrick Hall. "Chelsey Leonard took some incredible shots in the final game, and both she and Courtney had five digs in a 15 point game. That's the kind of performance we'd like to see throughout a match. We're fortunate it came in the deciding game."
