Unforced errors proved costly last Thursday as the Verndale Pirates fell to Menahga in the opening round of the Section 5A volleyball playoffs at Verndale.
The Pirates blitzed Menahga 25-11 in Game 1 but the Braves rallied to win the final three matches 25-19, 25-14 and 25-23.
"The way we came out in the first game I thought for sure we would take them in straight games but we made too many unforced errors," said Verndale head coach Kelly Youngbauer. "We nearly came back and took the fourth game and I know if we would have, we would have won the match."
The Pirates were seeded fourth and the Braves were seeded fifth going into the tournament. The two clubs had split during the regular season.
Taryn Fuller had 15 digs, eight kills and three ace serves for the Pirates. Jamie Kern and Trista Finck tied with 12 digs while Kelsey Booth contributed 11. Fuller and Booth led the Pirates with four blocks. Nicole Hart dished out 12 assists.
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Leana Bruer collected 35 assists and was 18 of 18 at the serving line for Menahga. Kendra Skoog had 15 digs and Lauren Ohlgren was 20 of 23 with three ace serves. Nina Johnson led the Braves with six kills.
The Pirates ended the season with a 9-15-2 mark.
