Highland records 1st volleyball victory over Pekin since 2016

PACKWOOD — It hadn’t happened since 2016 and it didn’t look like it would happen Thursday. It did, though after a visit to the locker room.

Highland defeated Pekin in volleyball 3-2, the first win in five years over the Panthers.

The Super Conference North Division battle saw the home court Panthers win the first set 25-22, but the second set was even closer with Highland winning 26-24.

Pekin seemed to distance itself from the Huskies in the third set at 25-16.

“We had a bad mindset, our faces were looking down and their attitude was bad,” Highland coach Gina Trower said.

Highland assistant coach Samantha Cox took the Huskies to the locker room between sets.

“They came out of there as new athletes,” Trower said. “It didn’t matter how bad we played before, we were ready to out-team them.”

That visit to the locker room by Highland resulted in a dominating 25-9 win. Highland was able to do that with the help of libero Mackinze Hora, who served at least 10 consecutive points in the statement set win.

Pekin jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fifth set before the Huskies rallied and tied it at 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8 and then went on a run to finish it 15-9. The Huskies won the set, triumphed in the match and took a proverbial monkey off their backs.

Stats were not yet available for Highland.

Pekin’s Taylor Gambell had three aces, five assists and 1.5 blocks while teammate Claire Roth landed six ace serves and dug up eight balls. Emma Phillips and Kayse Miller combined for 14 kills. Kyli Fitzsimmons connected on four kills, three aces and 1.5 blocks.

Pekin is 2-5 and plays at Hillcrest (3-9) Tuesday. Highland is 4-3 and plays at Winfield-Mount Union (4-3) Thursday.