Montgomery County’s senior class had a pair of reasons to celebrate on Thursday against the Centralia Panthers at Ballew & Snell Court.

The quintet of Addison Brower, Reaghan Hemeyer, Khloe Kribbs, Dakota Marion, Megan Pierson not only lifted the Wildcats to a four-game win over Centralia on senior night, but it also helped them turn in one of the biggest turnaround seasons in program history.

The Wildcats concluded their regular season at 11-16-3 after finishing with three wins a year ago. The eight-win improvement marked the best since 2018, when MCHS won 16 matches after getting nine wins the year before. The Wildcats also reached the double-digit mark in victories for the first time since 2023, when they won 12 matches.

“I felt like we all had something to prove,” Pierson said. “We were pretty much the same team from last year since we graduated only one player. I felt like we all decided we would flip the switch mentally this year. We weren’t going to be the same team as last year even though we had the same people (from last year).”

The Wildcats completed the season sweep over the Panthers with the 25-14, 21-25, 25-14 and 25-23 win. Nine days before, MCHS knocked off Centralia in four games on the road.

In the fourth game, the Wildcats were trailing 23-20 before they came back on a 5-0 run to close out the game and match. Kribbs served four straight points, including an ace to end the match.

“I had confidence in her,” Pierson said. “I had the trust that she would finish the game.”

The five seniors – along with managers Mariah Fish and Alaina Zerr – were honored with their parents before the match. Brower, Hemeyer, Kribbs, Marion and Pierson joined the volleyball program when they were freshmen.

“I love the girls on the team,” Pierson said. “They are my best friends. I will tell them everything. We spent so much time together. We have a really close knit group as seniors and we’re pretty tight. We trust each other on the court, too.”

Pierson turned in an outstanding effort in the win over Centralia, finishing with 25 digs. The libero now has a team-high 422 digs on the season.

Also, Kribbs had eight kills, Hemeyer finished with four blocks and Brower had 14 digs.

The Wildcats had strong performances from their junior class. Mieka Ray had 11 kills and 11 digs, Kiera Ray had 31 assists, Emma Cobb finished with eight kills and Harper Monsen had eight blocks.

MCHS won its third home match of the season. The Wildcats also had home wins over Mexico and Bowling Green.

Pierson, who plans to attend State Technical College in Linn next year, said she was upset that she played in her final home match.

“I’ve been playing volleyball since fourth grade,” the senior said. “After this, I really don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m going to be really bored. I got to find something else to build my time with. It’s definitely very emotional for me at least.”

The Wildcats were scheduled to play North Callaway in a Class 2, District 6 quarterfinal match on Oct. 20 at Hermann High School.

MCHS began its season on Aug. 29 with two wins in the Tolton Catholic Tournament.

Two weeks later, the Wildcats had back-to-back road wins over Bowling Green and New Haven to surpass last year’s win mark of three.

With the win over Centralia, the Wildcats finished their EMO season at 4-4 after winning just one match in 2025.

Also, MCHS pulled off a two-game win over Centralia in the junior varsity match.