BY GRAHAM CARR / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA-After losing the first set, Shelby County High School rallied to win the next three sets to beat Jemison High School 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-22,  27-25) on Oct. 2 at Shelby County.

Shelby County coach Jamie Creekmore said he was pleased with his team’s effort all night.

“We had good energy the whole night and we were able to hold on at the end,” Creekmore said.

Shelby County was led by Jasmyn Buie with 12 kills, 6 Aces and 6 blocks.  Alisha White chipped in 17 assists, six aces and two kills, while Kayle Cardwell added nine kills and six aces.

In the first set, Shelby County led 4-3 in the early going, but Jemison used a 4-0 run to claim a lead that the Panthers did not relinquish. Shelby County got as close as 17-15, but Jemison put the game away by finishing on an 8-3 run.

Jemison jumped to an 11-6 lead in the second set, but Shelby County used a 6-2 run to close the gap to 13-12.  Jemison then went on an 8-3 run to extend their lead to 21-15.  Shelby County recovered and used an 8-2 run to tie the game at 23.  The Wildcats closed the game on a 3-1 run to win 26-24.

Shelby County took control of the third set with a good start.  The Wildcats led comfortably 12-5 at the midway point and led 20-13 later in the set, but had to hold off a late Jemison rally to 25-22.

In the final set of the night, Shelby County held off a few rallies by Jemison to win 27-25.  After Shelby County jumped to a 15-8 lead, Jemison fought back to tie at 16.  Then the Wildcats led 19-16, but Jemison was again able to close the gap to 21-20 and tie the set at 22.  Jemison actually took a lead 23-22, but Shelby County rallied to finish the set on a 5-2 run.