host posted on September 16, 2009 01:56
By Robert Carter
The North Jefferson News
Coach Melanie Gearhart’s Fultondale volleyball team had acquired an unpleasant habit of starting strong but faltering in the late going.
Much to her delight, the Wildcats broke that habit with a hard-fought 8-25, 26-24, 15-12 over Pinson Valley in the nightcap of a Monday tri-match.
The Cats (4-12) folded in the first game, but got off to a 6-0 start in the second. The Indians came back to take the lead midway through, and Gearhart called time out.
“I said to them, ‘Somebody’s letting the air out of your balloon. Are you going to let it go?’ ”
It worked. Fultondale battled back to tie the game a 22-22, then battled down the stretch to take the middle game.
In the tiebreaker, Pinson jumped out to a 6-0 margin, but the Wildcats fought back to tie it at 8-8. After more back-and-forth points, Aislynn Lupien served an ace to give the hosts a 14-11 lead. Pinson won the next point, but then served the ball into the net to give the Cats the game.
Brianna Griffin had four kills and three blocks. Monica Rascoe served six aces.
In the first game, Fultondale lost to 25-16, 25-9 to Shades Mountain Christian (11-3). Abbey Wainwright had eight kills and two aces for the Eagles.
Tabernacle swept by Flint Hill: At McCalla, the Torches went down in flames, falling 25-21, 25-7, 25-21 in ACEA action Monday.
“We just couldn’t get our spikes down today, but it will come with time. We have a young team and a lot to work on in our practices,” said Tabernacle coach Gloria Courtney.
Sarah Walker and Jesen Salyers both had one service ace each,
Gardendale swept at Mountain Brook: The Rockets couldn’t make any headway against the host Spartans on Tuesday, falling 25-18, 25-15, 25-18. Meagan Belcher had nine kills, and Haley Hardman added five. Libero Kritsa Ratliff had six digs.
The Rockets’ record falls to 4-9, and 0-3 in area play. They host Vestavia Hills on Thursday afternoon.
Fultondale wins one of three at Oak Grove: At the Oak Grove Tournament last Saturday, the Wildcats came away with one victory in three matches.
In their first contest, the Cats fell to Pinson Valley 25-12, 25-9. Diamond Stanley had three aces and Jordan Westmiller added two more.
Later on, Fultondale went to three games to dispatch the Parrish Tornadoes 16-25, 25-22, 16-14. Brianna Griffin had five kills and Jessica Harris had three. Kelsey Hubbard and Carla Owens served two aces each.
In their final game, the Wildcats lost to Brookwood 25-15, 25-14. Stanley had three aces.