By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Chelsea High School volleyball coach Jamie Gill picked up a memorable victory on the first day of the season Aug. 18

Gill led the Hornets to a 9-25, 25-23, 15-11 win over Spain Park, an Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A team, in the opening game of the season. The victory marked the first win for the Hornets over a Class 6A team under Gill, who is entering her second season at the helm.

“It’s pretty big for us,” Gill said. “They blew us out in the first game. We just came back and rallied. Mental toughness was big.”

Chelsea capped opening night with a 17-25, 19-25 loss to Thompson in its second match of the evening.

Holly Marbut led the Hornets (1-1) with four kills in the season-opening win against Spain Park.

Samantha Colyer added three kills and a team-high eight digs. Kacie Craft finished with three service aces in the victory. Courtney Campbell contributed nine assists.

Colyer led Chelsea with four kills and a team-high seven digs in the loss to Thompson. Jesse Vohler recorded seven assists in the defeat.

Thompson won its first two matches of the season with first-year coach Kellyanne Turnbow at the helm.

Hailey Schatz led Thompson (2-0) with seven kills against the Hornets. Schatz also recorded four service aces in the victory.

Jade Douglas added six kills and a team-high six digs. Sonia Acosta finished with a team-high 25 assists.

The Warriors defeated Spain Park 17-25, 25-22, 20-18 in their second match.

Douglas led Thompson with 10 kills in the victory. Douglas also had four blocks in the match. Schatz added four kills.

Kasie Holcomb led the Warriors with 10 digs. Emily Cofer finished with three service aces. Acosta racked up a team-high 33 assists in the win.

Brooklyn Hall led the Jaguars with a combined 10 kills in Spain Park’s two matches. Hall also recorded nine digs and three service aces.

Morgan Scott finished with eight digs and nine assists. Alexis Smith recorded seven digs and six assists. Chandler Horton had two digs and 15 assists. Kylie Beaubien finished with two digs and three blocks to go along with a team-high 16 assists.