The Hitchcock-Tulare Patriots opened their volleyball season with a victory over the James Valley Christian Vikings in a 281 Conference matchup. With the win, the Patriots begin the year with a 1-0 record.
Emmerie Arthurs led the Patriots’ offensive attack with nine kills, while Laina Puffer added five. Keilee Schone, Olivia Knox and Tess Bixler each contributed three kills.
Rylee Knock made her presence felt at the net, recording two solo blocks and three block assists. Her biggest moment came in the third set, when she delivered a key block for the Patriots.
Hitchcock-Tulare also kept the Vikings under pressure from the service line, finishing the match with 14 aces. Arthurs led the way with five aces, Puffer added four and Knox recorded three.
Knox directed the Patriots’ offense with 18 assists while also contributing three kills and three aces. Defensively, Kaylie LaBrie and Arthurs led the team with 11 digs apiece.
The Patriots also had success in the lower-level matches. The junior varsity and seventh-grade teams each earned 2-1 victories, while the eighth-grade team dropped its match, 2-0.
Hitchcock-Tulare will return to action Tuesday when the Patriots host in-county rival Redfield. Competition begins with the junior high matches at 4:30 p.m. in Tulare.