The annual House of Payne Girls Volley Tournament had a familiar competitor in its final match on Saturday - the Perry Pumas. Perry improved its lot from last season winning the tournament after finishing runner-up in 2021. 

Perry knocked off Chandler district rival Hamilton in the title match. Score was 25-23. The teams, weary from six matches in two days, determined they would play one set to 25 to decide the champion rather than the customary three.

 A block by Perry sophomore middle Kenna Cogill was the winning point. The Pumas never trailed in the set, building a five- and six-point advantage fairly late (16-11 and 20-14) only to have the Huskies rally for the tight finish. A 23-20 deficit was erased by two kills by Huskies outside hitter Neomi Beach and a Perry four-hit violation. Hamilton followed the tying point with a service error and Cogill's block ended it.

Perry coach Fred Mann liked his team's performance in the tourney. The Pumas have won outright or shared the 6A Premier Region title each of the last four seasons. Hamilton has won the last two 6A championships, including the 2020 crown over Perry.

"We got better defensively, something we needed to do," Mann said. "We have a lot of size, and have to use it to our advantage. It's the beginning of the process."

Hamilton swept its three pool-play opponents while Perry played three sets vs. two of its pool foes and had one sweep. The schools shift back to regular-season matches next week with Hamilton visiting Mountain Ridge on Tuesday and Perry playing host to Casteel on Wednesday.