Jacksonville, AL – Pleasant Valley victorious in Mann’s first match as head coach. Oxford downs Clay-Chalkville, and Piedmont sweeps. Alexandria wins two of three, and Donoho splits. Munford tops Lincoln in Stephens’ first match as head coach,
Pleasant Valley’s volleyball team ended the Dana Bryant era with a state championship last season, and they began the Raiders Jennifer Mann era with a victory on Thursday.
Led by big performances from Lily Henry and Madison Schwabe, the Raiders outlasted Jacksonville in a five-set classic, 20-25, 25-21, 24-26, 25-19, 15-10 at Jacksonville.
Henry accounted for 12 kills, 30 digs, three blocks and an ace, and Schwabe got 27 digs and 23 assists.
It marked Mann’s first match as the Raiders head coach. She was promoted after Bryant retired, having finished her 18-year run as Pleasant Valley’s head coach with a Class 2A state title.
“My first match as head coach was nothing shy of an extremely intense match,” Mann said. “I’m pretty sure I will not have my voice tomorrow.
“We knew going into our schedule, it was not going to be easy. Jacksonville has a solid competitive team this year, and I look for them to make a run deep at state. My girls are prepared and have worked extremely hard this summer. They showed grit, growth and determination tonight, and that’s all I could ask for from them. They produced and it was a great match!”
Pleasant Valley’s other top performers:
—Ella Parris: six kills, seven blocks, 22 digs, one ace.
—Ellie Patterson: six kills, six blocks.
—Elise Wheeler: 18 assists, 21 digs, one kill, one block.
—Ava Washington: 16 digs.
—Cailey Almaroad: 12 digs, two aces.
—Bella Usrey: two kills, three digs.
Jacksonville’s top performers:
—Sydney Soriano: one ace, six kills, 25 assists, one block, eight digs.
—Camryn Stone: three aces, six kills, five blocks, eight digs.
—Mya Swain: seven kills, six blocks,
—Nyla Hoult: nine kills, three blocks, six digs.
—KeAsiah Williams: four kills.
—Chloe Henderson: one kill, 18 digs.
—Alexis Phillips: three kills, seven digs.
OXFORD 3, CLAY-CHALKVILLE 0: Daelyn Bozeman had nine kills and five aces, and Oxford swept its season-opener 25-11, 25-9, 25-9.
Oxford’s other top performers:
—Mileah Prince: eight kills, two ace.
—Jaslyn Montgomery: five kills,three aces.
—Arilyn Pool: four aces.
—Payton Brooks: 10 aces, 18 assists.
ALEXANDRIA 2-1: The Valley Cubs opened the season by beating Lawrence County 25-18, 28-26 and Clements 25-15, 25-15 and falling to Athens 20-25, 22-25, 12-15.
Alexandria’s top performers:
—Eryn Spradley: 30 kills, 19 digs, five blocks, three aces.
—Cassidy Hartsfield: 11 kills, two digs, five blocks.
—Kaden Pritchett: 16 kills, five digs, three blocks.
—Landry Patterson: one kill, nine digs.
—Shelby Morris: 11 digs, two aces.
—Charlee Parris: 26 digs, three aces, two assists, one block.
—Sophie Martin: 58 assists, 12 digs, two aces, two kills.
DONOHO SPLITS: The Falcons lost to Cherokee County 19-25, 17-25 and beat Sand Rock 25-14, 22-25, 15-4. Top performers for Donoho:
—Kate Williamon: eight kills, one assist, 17 digs, one ace.
—Sam Wakefield: nine kills, two assists, two aces. 34 digs.
—Ryals Jones: four kills, two digs.
—Calee Taylor: 11 assists, three digs.
—Ava Michaels: nine kills, four digs.
—Bentlee Pahman: one assist, 24 digs.
—Alana Maldonado: eight kills, one assist, four digs, one block.
PIEDMONT SWEEPS: The Bulldogs beat Gaylesville 25-18, 25-20 and Faith Christian 25-23, 25-21. Piedmont’s top performers:
—Carson Young: six kills, one ace, five digs, one block.
—Cayla Brothers: seven kills, five aces.
—Cacey Brothers: three kills, two assists, two aces, three digs.
—Melania Studdard: six kills, five digs, one assist, one ace.
—Amiyah Thomas: three kills, two aces, five digs, one block.
—Adilyn Bailey: 19 assists, seven digs, one ace, one kill.
MUNFORD DOWNS LINCOLN: Munford gave Noel Stephens a five-set victory in his first match as the Lions’ head coach, beating Lincoln 23-25, 25-19, 19-24, 24-20, 15-5. Stephens took over after Destinee Briskey took the Pell City job,
Munford’s top performers:
—Breanna Hailes: four aces.
—Raleigh Dew two aces.
—Brooklyn Pressley two aces.
—Mylie Stephens: seven kills.
—Christiny Putnam: six kills.
—Ashtyn Bishop: 11 digs.
—Brooklyn Pressley: five digs.
—Faith Jacobs: four blocks.
