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Straughn defended its home court and earned a 3-0 sweep against rival Andalusia in a varsity volleyball match Thursday, August 31.

The Lady Tigers improved their season record to 3-3 with a 25-11, 25-18, 25-21 win, while the Lady Bulldogs fell to 3-3.

“Our girls just got in their heads a little bit, and when you get in your head that volleyball is a mental sport, you can’t do that. I was really proud of the way they fought from behind to come ahead and win a really good match. We beat Geneva on Tuesday night, which is also 4A and in Andalusia’s area. I think we’re in a good place to start pushing forward for area play and do well,” SHS Head Coach Deidra Burleson said.

SET ONE
Ora Hall scored the first point of the match with an ace as Straughn took a 3-0 lead. Molly Capps put Andalusia on the board with a kill before Kyleigh Jackson delivered a kill for a 4-1 lead. Consecutive aces from Claire Howe and a kill by Mallory Hall pushed the margin out to 10-3. Marge Duffy and Taya Newton cut the deficit to 11-6 with kills for the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Tigers responded with an 8-1 surge and took a 19-7 lead. Two kills by Audrey Lindsey, and an ace from Presley Melvin opened up a 22-9 advantage until the set ended at 25-11.

SET TWO
Howe had a kill, and Hall scored two aces for a 6-0 lead in the second set. Cape Merrell notched a block and made the score 6-1 until Howe added another kill for an 8-2 lead. Andalusia rallied back and trimmed the deficit to 12-8. Blakeley Smith notched two kills, while an ace from Hall and kill by Jackson stretched the margin to 19-10. Capps brought the score to 19-12 with an ace, but Straughn seized momentum back and took a 23-14 lead. Newton began a mild four-point stretch with a kill, but the final two points went the other way for a 2-0 lead in the match.

SET THREE
The two teams went back and forth early in the third set. Merrell added another block and forced a 2-2 tie before Newton evened the score at 4-4 with a kill. The Lady Bulldogs took an 11-8 lead with a block from Merrell. The Lady Tigers grabbed a 12-11 margin behind a kill and an ace from Hall. Kamari Gay tied the score at 12-12 with a block and started a 6-0 surge. Kills from Jackson, Hall, and Howe then trimmed the deficit to 18-16. Bri Toney gave Andalusia a 21-18 margin with an ace until Straughn closed on a 7-0 run. Smith had a kill for a 23-21 lead before Hall made it match point with an ace.

Both teams return to action with three matches Thursday, Sept. 7, beginning at 4 p.m. Andalusia will host Kinston, while Straughn will travel to Brewton for a bout against T.R. Miller.