BY MATT SCHOOLEY

It’s early in the season, and both John Stark and Pelham’s girls volleyball teams were in – no surprise here – early season form.

Neither squad found consistent rhythm in the contest, but visiting John Stark returned to Weare with a road victory, winning 3-1 at Pelham High School on Monday, Sept. 10.

The Lady Generals won the first game of the match, 25-13, before falling, 25-22, in the second. However, Stark bounced back with 25-14 and 25-22 victories to close out the match.

Pelham’s head coach, Jen Nugent, said inexperience played a part in her team’s inability to generate momentum.

“It’s a matter of gaining some consistency and learning each other’s styles of play,” said Nugent. “That chemistry is huge, and it’s probably bigger in this game than any other.”

The home team, trailing 11-8 in the fourth game, went on the lone hot streak either team could muster.

Pelham outscored John Stark, 10-1, during the stretch to take an 18-12 lead, but John Stark bounced back to tie the game at 20-all before going on to take the match.

“In rally scoring, it’s really a matter of getting the momentum and holding it,” said Nugent. “Once you lose that momentum, it goes fast, and it’s very hard to get back. That will come as this team gains some maturity, which we’ll look to do during practice.”

Christine Downs collected 26 assists, while Leanne Cann added two aces, six blocks and three kills for Pelham.