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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Wildcats ended their home slate and the regular season on a positive note, and as a result, they’re heading into the playoffs with a head full of momentum.

Shelby County earned a 3-1 win over the Central Cougars of Coosa County on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Shelby County High School.

With the win, the Wildcats swept the season series with the Cougars. Shelby County won the previous meeting 3-0 on the road at Central High School on Sept. 15.

The Wildcats got the upper hand early on their home court with a solid performance in the first set. Shelby County kept Central at bay and earned the win in the opening frame.

The Wildcats took a 25-17 win in the first set and went up 1-0 in the match as a result.

However, the Cougars flipped the script in the second set, taking the fight to Shelby County and going ahead in the process. Central then won the second set in 25-19 fashion to even up the match at one win apiece.

With the match hanging in the balance, the Wildcats stepped up and took firm control of the matchup. Shelby County surged in front and stayed there down the stretch to take the third-set victory.

The Wildcats won the third set by a score of 25-18, and that set the stage for a dominant finish to the match.

Shelby County commanded the service line in the fourth set and didn’t allow Central chance to get close in the final points. After doubling the Cougars’ point total, the Wildcats finished the job to earn the set win.

Shelby County’s 25-9 win in the fourth set sealed the 3-1 match win, the Wildcats’ second-straight to end the regular season.

Kaydence Connell led the offense with 13 kills while Peyton Cannady had six kills and Eva Walker and Halle Gilbert each earned five kills. The Wildcats finished with 19 service aces, including five apiece from Wendy McGehee and Madison Tolleson and three each from Connell and Janie Mooney.

Gilbert secured a team-high eight digs in the matchup. Mooney and Connell each had six digs, and McGehee finished with five digs in addition to her 23 assists for the offense.

Shelby County finished the regular season with a 13-6 record. The Wildcats will now head to the Class 5A, Area 8 tournament to face the Sylacauga Aggies on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. The winner will book a spot at the South Super Regionals and in the area championship match, the latter of which will follow at 7 p.m.