There’s a weird phenomena in sports where the final score isn’t necessarily indicative of the game itself, and Head Coach Courtney Dickens said that was the case when Picayune’s volleyball team went against George County Tuesday evening.

The team lost in three sets 25-21, 25-15 and 25-20.

However, Dickens said the scores didn’t represent her team’s performance.

“I feel like the past couple of games we’re playing better than I’ve seen us play. Honestly the score doesn’t always say it all. We have come a really long way from last year,” Dickens said.

Even during the games where the Maroon Tide isn’t victorious, Dickens keeps track of the scores to compare to last year’s.

Dickens can then show the scores to the players, and even if the game ended in a loss her athletes can see growth and improvement in the program from just one year ago.

A big part of the team’s progress has been the performances of the three seniors on the squad, Aliciana Carter, Jordyn Hall and Kyla Harris. 

Dickens has been giving younger players more opportunities to play in these later games in preparation for next year.

“I hate that I’m losing three starting seniors, and we’re going to miss them next year. They help us a lot, but somebody has to step up,” Dickens said.

There will be multiple talented players returning next year, and Makenna Williams is one of them.

Williams is only a freshman, but she played on the varsity squad last year, and has continued to perform well this year for the team.

She’s a setter, meaning she has to help orchestrate the offense, and Dickens said she’s done a good job of taking over the vital role.

“She is very vocal, and that really helps in volleyball. As a setter that’s kind of like being the quarterback for the football team, they run the show,” Dickens said.

When the team played George County on the road the squad had to take an hour and a half bus ride to their opponent’s gym.

While travel can sometimes negatively affect a team’s performance, Dickens said her players dealt with the adversity.

“I think they handled it well, because I know sometimes long bus rides will have an effect on how you play,” Dickens said.

The team only has two more games in the season, and they want to go two for two by winning both games.

Dickens said if the team keeps playing like they have been, then it’s a real possibility.

“I feel like we’re playing our best, but that’s not to say we can’t play better. I say this all the time, but you can’t be satisfied, once you’re satisfied you’ll never get better,” Dickens said.

Picayune’s next opponent is Pass Christian tonight at 6:30 p.m.

The game will also serve as senior night where the four seniors in the program, Kyla Harris, Keila Harris, Aliciana Carter and Jordyn Hall will all be recognized.

The Maroon Tide lost the last time the two teams faced, but Dickens thinks the result could be different this time around.

“We haven’t faced them since we’ve corrected some things on our defense. I’m really thinking we should come out with win,” Dickens said.