MOBILE, Ala. — The Pearl River volleyball program's special season came to an end Saturday after the Wildcats fell to Calhoun 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-18).
The team's two-day run in the ACCC Volleyball Championship at the Mobile Civic Center punctuated an exciting season for PRCC (24-15 overall). The Wildcats qualified for the competition after topping Northwest last week to claim the Region 23 Championship.
The bright spot of the first set was an early three-point run courtesy of consecutive aces from Hannah French (Ocean Springs).
After dropping the opening frame 25-13, the Wildcats looked like a different team in Set 2.
The Warhawks took the first two points of the set, but the Wildcats quickly jumped ahead. After Lillie Franks (Ocean Springs) slammed home an errant Calhoun pass to tie the match 2-2, her sister, Abbie Franks (Ocean Springs), registered a kill to give PRCC its first lead.
An ace from Delaney Sisson (Auburn, Ala.) later pushed PRCC's advantage to 11-8.
After battling back and forth, Sammie Smith (D'Iberville) hammered home a kill, and then Annalaura Williford (Bay St. Louis; Our Lady Academy) rejected a Calhoun attack. The block gave PRCC a 15-12 lead and forced the Warhawks into calling a timeout.
The two teams continued to trade points, with Peyton Hoffmeyer momentarily pushing PRCC ahead 20-19.
The Franks sisters combined for a block to tie the set 23-23, but the Warhawks earned the next two points to claim the second frame 25-23.
The third set had a similar energy, with both teams taking their best swings at the opponent.
After trading shots back and forth early on, Abbie Franks registered a kill to go ahead 8-6.
The Warhawks began to build a little distance, but PRCC rallied late.
Two Smith kills sandwiched a Calhoun attacking error to pull PRCC within five, 22-17. Smith picked up another kill, but the Warhawks closed out the match on a 3-1 run to win 25-18.
HOW WE GOT HERE
Pearl River advanced to Day 2 of the tournament by splitting on Friday. PRCC dropped the opener to Lurleen B. Wallace 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-20) before besting Bishop State 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21).
ALL-TOURNAMENT
For her efforts leading the PRCC attack, Smith was an all-tournament selection.
"Sammie has been such a force for us for two straight seasons. She is so easy to cheer and one reason for that is the complete joy she gets from playing the game," Chatham said. "She plays like a kid at Christmas every single game, and there is nothing better than that.
"She is so humble and kind. Add those attributes to her being one of the most explosive players to come through The River — What a perfect combination."
SUPER SOPHOMORES
PRCC's group of sophomores have left its mark on the program, winning a combined 47 matches over two seasons.
This year's sophomore class was comprised of: Lauren McLamore (Brandon), Addie McNeely (Brandon; Hartfield Academy), Natalie Bartholomew (Brandon), Sisson, Smith, Jolee Gibson (Brandon), Abbie Franks, Lillie Franks and French.
"This year's success is absolutely attributed to a group of sophomores that understands what leadership really is," Chatham said. "It's the giving of yourself for the betterment of others. Not only did they put themselves aside for each other, but they welcomed a group of great freshmen with open arms and made it their goal to help everybody win.
"It's amazing the things that happen when you take 'me' out of the equation and give to others. And that's not just in volleyball. I couldn't be prouder of every single one of them, and I can't wait to see where life takes this group of can-do, amazing women. They have been nothing but a joy to me."
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