E.A. Sports Today

Saks bounces back

[corner-ad id=2]Lady Wildcats rebound from tough loss to Jacksonville with sweep of Cleburne County; PV sweeps, Donoho splits

By East Alabama Sports Today

The Saks volleyball team still had a little hangover from its second loss of the season in an important area game in its last start, but it still was able to bounce back and sweep Cleburne County in straight Thursday.

On a night their school recognized the 1995 state championship volleyball team – its first sanctioned state championship in school history – the Lady Wildcats returned to the win column 25-20, 25-19, 25-16.

“It wasn’t one of our better games, but we won and I’ll take it,” Saks coach Randy Law said. “After losing the way we lost Tuesday (at Jacksonville 3-1) and getting the win tonight I’m pleased.”

Law thought his team was flat in the match and didn’t serve receive “like we need to,” but it still had enough to overcome the inspired play of their visitors.

Baylee Snider had seven kills, three aces, 13 digs and nine total blocks. Jordan Briskey had 13 kills, 16 digs and five blocks. Tayler Teague had 12 kills and nine digs. Jaelyn Wilson had 20 assists and 14 digs.

Before the game the school recognized the 1995 team, which won the first of Saks’ three state volleyball championships and the first sanctioned state title in school history. Nearly a dozen former players returned for the festivities.

“It was a lot of fun,” Law said. “Some of them I hadn’t seen in several years. It was neat and I think they enjoyed it, too.”

Jacksonville, meanwhile, took a 3-0 area victory over White Plains.

PLEASANT VALLEY 3, WEAVER 0
DONOHO 2, WEAVER 0
PLEASANT VALLEY 2, DONOHO 0

JACKSONVILLE – The Lady Raiders picked up their fourth area win of the season and then knocked off the No. 2 Class 1A team in the state for the second time this season.

They beat Weaver in the all-important area match 25-16, 25-16, 25-6, then beat Donoho 25-20, 25-11. In between, Donoho beat Weaver 25-18, 25-14.

“It was a very good night,” PV coach Dana Bryant said. “It’s tough to beat a good team, but the goal was to beat them again.”

Cammy Cochran paved the way up front with 32 kills, three blocks, four aces and 19 digs. Savannah Williams was “outstanding” on the back row with 24 digs. Anna Bryant had 53 assists, five kills, six aces, 12 digs and two blocks.

Kayla Wallace and Madison Gaines both had nine kills in the two matches for Donoho. Wallace and Katie Brown each had five aces. Katie Brown had 26 assists and Anna Marie Woodfin had 19 digs.

PV (15-4) and Donoho (16-4) have a chance to meet again this weekend in the Donoho Classic, where six of the top 10 teams in Class 1A are among nine teams either ranked or receiving poll consideration in the field.

Donoho Classic
Pool A: Donoho (No. 2-1A), Munford, Piedmont, Ragland
Pool B: Faith Christian (RV-1A), Pleasant Valley (No. 8-3A), Meek (No. 3-1A), Cornerstone
Pool C: White Plains, Sacred Heart (No. 10-1A), Athens Bible (No. 5-1A), Holy Spirit
Pool D: Wellborn, Spring Garden (No. 9-1A), Ider (No. 7-2A), Decatur Heritage (No. 1-1A)

Volleyball fans, if you’d like to see your favorite team receive more complete coverage than it might be getting in other media, have your coaches contact East Alabama Sports Today at 256-239-6715.

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