By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
VERDIGRIS – Piedmont’s volleyball team collected its first-ever victory at the state tournament this morning at Verdigris High School.
Playing in their first state tournament game in program history, the Lady Wildcats earned a four-set win over Claremore to advance to this afternoon’s state semifinals where they’ll face either top-ranked Mount St. Mary’s or No. 8 Duncan at 5:30.
If Piedmont (21-11) was dealing with nerves while playing at state for the first time, they disguised them as stellar play in the quarterfinal match.
The Lady Wildcats led 14-10 early and took the first set 25-18 behind seven kills from Kaylie Marshall. Chesnie Caudill added three kills and an ace while JoAnna Hunter had two kills and one ace.
The Lady Wildcats rallied from a 24-22 deficit in the second set to tie at 24, but Claremore (24-17) won the final two points to win 26-24.
The Zebras’ momentum was short-lived, however. PHS dominated the third and fourth sets (25-14, 25-18) to pull away for the win.
