Now that the district volleyball slate is completed and the playoff spots have been gobbled up, it’s time for East Marion to focus on how to get past the second round of the playoffs, while Columbia and West Marion continue to build for the future.
The Eagles (20-4, 10-0) were able to accomplish what they had their sights set on: not losing a single set in Region 7 play all season.
East Marion did so with ease Sept. 27, sweeping Tylertown 25-21, 25-12 and 25-8 on the road. Tytianna Porter had a season-high 23 kills and added nine digs and four blocks. Hope Cook had team highs in assists (18) and aces (eight), while Destiny Brown had 14 assists and 10 digs. Jamekia Willis paced the Eagles with 16 digs.
The Eagles had a tougher time depositing Sumrall on the road Tuesday but still came away with a sweep; 25-19, 25-18 and 25-21. Porter had another dominant game with 11 kills and six blocks, while Cook had an all-around performance with 11 assists, five kills and four aces.
To close out the season East Marion played Jefferson Davis County on the road Thursday (results unavailable) and will play the Jaguars again at home Tuesday at 6. The Eagles added one last game to the schedule, a Thursday home match against Puckett at 5:30. The Wolves are 15-3 and went undefeated without losing a set in Region 5 play, and both coaches thought it would be a good tune up for postseason play.
Columbia (9-15, 6-4), meanwhile, came up one match short of a return to postseason play after losing Sept. 25’s swing match to Salem 3-1. Lauren Hill led the Wildcats at the net with 11 kills, followed by Abby Morris with nine. Kaitlyn Fitzgerald had a game-high 19 assists, while Michelle Martin added eight. Dariel Recasner had 14 digs.
The Wildcats rebounded, though, with a commanding 3-0 sweep of West Marion and limited the Trojans to just two kills and six aces. Morris and Hill each had five kills, with Morris adding three aces and two blocks and Hill three blocks. Jalaysia Everett and Jamekia Willis each had seven digs, and Fitzgerald set the offense with eight assists.
Columbia kept the momentum going Tuesday at Seminary in a match that was much closer than the 3-1 final indicates. Seminary scored 22, 23 and 23 points in the three sets it lost. Morris and Hill once again tied for the team lead with seven kills apiece, Recasner had 17 digs and Fitzgerald notched 15 assists.
The Wildcats played host to South Jones Thursday, but results were unavailable at press time. They have two matches next week to close the season, hosting Sacred Heart Tuesday and Florence Thursday, both at 6:30.
Despite a great start to the season, West Marion (7-10, 3-7) faltered down the stretch and lost its final four district matches.
The Trojans had a shot at picking up district win No. 4 against Tylertown Sept. 25 at home after taking a 2-1 lead with back-to-back wins in sets two and three but couldn’t close the deal. Tylertown stole the fourth set 25-23 and the fifth 15-10 to knock off the Trojans.
Atayviah Williams was all over the court with 12 kills and nine aces, while Avery Holmes had 17 assists and eight aces. West Marion head coach Todd Pittman said the junior duo has shined this season, and he expects them to be even better next season.
The Trojans played Richton on the road Thursday (results unavailable) before three matches next week conclude their season. West Marion will host Sacred Heart Monday night at 6:30, North Forrest Tuesday at 6 and will travel to play at Seminary Thursday at 6.
Pittman added he expects Lainey Brumfield and Megan Sanders to be even better next year.
