Pelham volleyball keeps streak going
Published 11:33 am Wednesday, September 25, 2013
![Pelham's Courtney Hayhurst returns a shot against Chelsea Sept. 24. The Panthers took a 3-0 win in the match. (Contributed/Angeline Jackson)](https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2013/09/10-2-Pelham-VB-WEB.jpg)
Pelham’s Courtney Hayhurst returns a shot against Chelsea Sept. 24. The Panthers took a 3-0 win in the match. (Contributed/Angeline Jackson)
By DREW GRANTHUM
PELHAM — The Pelham Panthers volleyball squad is on a roll as of late, winning its last four matches in a row after starting the season 2-14.
After starting the run on Sept. 12 against Thompson, the Panthers hosted Spain Park in an area match Sept. 17. The Panthers came out strong, never dropping a set in a 3-0 win over the Jaguars. Pelham dominated the first set, 25-16, squeaked by in the second, 29-27, and saved the strongest performance or last, taking the third set 25-9. Caitland Smith led the squad with seven kills, three aces and three blocks, Erin Hines posted nine blocks and eight digs, Hayley Brisendine registered 16 digs, Autumn Hiett had 13 kills, Lauren Meadows had five aces and Josie Harwood had two blocks in the win.
The Panthers then moved on to a road match at Vestavia Hills Sept. 19. Pelham stumbled out of the gate, dropping the opening set to the Rebels, 13-25. The Panthers roared back, nabbing a 25-23 win in set two before engaging in a high-scoring affair in set three. The two squads battled back and forth, posting a combined 62 points as the Panthers were able to capture a 32-30 set win. Pelham rode the momentum in the fourth set, taking a 25-18 win as well as the match, 3-1. Hiett paced the Panthers with 16 kills and 17 digs, Hines had 10 kills and 17 digs, Smith had 14 kills, Brisendine had 29 digs and Sarah Sudd had two aces.
Pelham then took on Chelsea in another area match, resulting in another area win. The first set saw Pelham take a 25-20 win over the Hornets, then proceeded to take the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-22, respectively. Smith posted nine kills and four blocks, Meadows had 12 digs and four aces and Emily Jackson posted 25 assists.
The win moved Pelham to 6-14 on the season, and the Panthers will host Mountain Brook Sept. 26.