Andalusia High School’s 2010 school theme is “Andy pride…catch it!”

Approximately 100 students and parents packed the gym and helped cheer the Lady Bulldogs to success Thursday night in a 3-0 sweep over Straughn in area volleyball action.

The Lady Bulldogs didn’t falter, defeating the Lady Tigers 25-17, 25-12, 25-18.

“I’m proud of the girls, and I’m proud that this school turned out,” AHS coach Angie Grimes said. “I’m hoping to draw these crowds now. The school really did get into it, and I am just so proud that our fans showed up (Thursday night).

“They don’t realize how much they contribute to our success, and I just cannot express enough of how proud I am that they came,” she said.

Andalusia immediately got the ball rolling in the first game taking an early 9-5 lead.

The Lady Bulldogs extended their lead at one point by 10, leading 23-13.

To seal the first game victory, Andalusia’s Shi’Amber Townsend killed the ball for the 25th point. Townsend also delivered the match-winning serve at the end of the third game.

During the second game, the fans didn’t let up, letting the visiting side know they are serious about winning.

In the second game, delays caused the flow of play to a halt — once for 17 minutes because of light failure, and another time to discuss a player substitution.

Once the match resumed, the Lady Bulldogs quickly took a 20-8 lead after leading 8-4 before the delay.

Andalusia’s Allison Daniels earned the second-game victory with a kill.

The third game was a different matter entirely.

Andalusia and Straughn were matched up evenly, tying the game up two times.

Andalusia took it to the house with a 23-18 lead in the end.

“We didn’t do what we practiced — it’s as simple as that,” SHS assistant coach Marc Tracy said. “We worked on all of this stuff they were doing in practice all week.

“We just didn’t execute the game plan,” he said.

Townsend led her team in kills with 15. She also had 10 aces and six service points. Andalusia’s A.C. Riley led in assists with 35; Daniels had nine blocks and seven kills; and Erica Staley contributed with seven blocks.

Straughn’s Paige Caraway had four blocks; Megan Johns had nine service points, three aces and four kills; Katie Beck had four service points; and Holley McGlaun had six assists. Brooke Harris had four digs for the night.

In junior varsity action, the Lady Bulldogs won 2-1.

Andalusia will host its fifth annual volleyball tournament Saturday, starting at 9 a.m.

Straughn will host Zion Chapel next Tuesday.