The Hitchcock-Tulare Lady Patriots fell to the Highmore-Harrold Pirates in four sets Thursday night. The Pirates claimed the match 3-1 by set scores of 25-21, 22-25, 25-19 and 25-21.
After dropping the opening set, the Patriots responded with a 25-22 victory in the second to even the match. Highmore-Harrold regained control by winning the third set and then closed out the match with a four-point victory in the fourth.
Hitchcock-Tulare featured a balanced offensive attack, with four players recording at least nine kills. Emmerie Arthurs led the Patriots with 12 kills, followed by Laina Puffer with 11, Tess Bixler with 10 and Keilee Schone with nine.
Brynn Binger stepped into the starting setter role for the first time this season and finished with 36 assists. She also contributed two service aces.
The Patriots recorded eight aces as a team, led by Olivia Knox with four. Knox also led the defensive effort with 17 digs. Arthurs added 13 digs, while Kaylie LaBrie collected 10. At the net, Schone recorded one solo block and two block assists.
The loss moves Hitchcock-Tulare’s record to 4-6 overall and 1-2 in 281 Conference play.
The Patriots will return to action Tuesday night when they host the Iroquois-Lake Preston Sharks in another 281 Conference matchup in Hitchcock. The junior high match is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m., with junior varsity and varsity action to follow.