The Hitchcock-Tulare Patriots battled back from a slow start but fell to the Miller Rustlers in four sets during the teams’ annual Pink Night volleyball match. Miller defended its home court with a 25-9, 21-25, 25-17, 25-20 victory, dropping the Patriots to 11-10 overall.
Working with a slightly different lineup, Hitchcock-Tulare struggled to find its rhythm in the opening set. The Rustlers controlled the tempo, keeping the Patriots from gaining traction as Miller rolled to a 25-9 win.
The Patriots responded with a stronger showing in set two. Hitchcock-Tulare stayed within striking distance and delivered key plays down the stretch to secure a 25-21 victory, evening the match at one set apiece.
The third set featured a back-and-forth battle before unforced errors gave Miller an opening. The Rustlers capitalized, creating enough separation to claim the set 25-17 and regain the match lead.
Facing elimination in the fourth set, the Patriots fought to erase a deficit and made a late push to keep the match alive. Despite closing the gap, Hitchcock-Tulare could not overcome Miller’s advantage, and the Rustlers finished the match with a 25-20 win.
Keilee Schone led the Patriots’ offense with seven kills, while Emmerie Arthurs and Tess Bixler added four apiece. Lainia Puffer recorded 13 assists and four aces, and Brynn Binger contributed six assists. Arthurs paced the back-row defense with 15 digs, followed by Olivia Knox with 10.
The Patriots’ front line provided a strong presence at the net, recording 20 block assists. Rylee Knock led that effort with six, while Schone and Bixler each added five. Bixler also recorded a solo block.
Hitchcock-Tulare will travel to Langford on Tuesday for a pivotal regional matchup against the Lions. Junior varsity play begins at 6:30 p.m., with the varsity match to follow.