By DAVIS POTTER / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY — After sweeping area opponent Pelham on Sept. 2 and capturing the Mid-South tournament title at Thompson High School over the weekend, the Oak Mountain volleyball team continued its winning ways Sept. 7 with a 25-10, 25-17, 25-17 sweep over Thompson at Oak Mountain High School.

The win improved the Eagles to 2-0 in Class 6A, Area 10 play.

Senior Chelsea Payne recorded a game-high 17 assists and added three digs for the Eagles. Fellow senior Samantha Skinner tallied 11 kills, seven digs and two blocks. Hannah Beach racked up 12 assists and also had three service aces.

Oak Mountain’s style of play allowed for head coach Tammy Richardson to sub early and often.

“The fact that all the kids got to play is a big thing,” Richardson said. “I want everybody on the team to have as much experience as possible. I feel good about the way we played.”

The Eagles’ front line gave the smaller Thompson lineup fits with its length, something that garnered praise from Richardson.

“It was one of the best blocking games that we’ve had,” Richardson said. “We were on it blocking-wise.”

The sentiment was echoed by Thompson coach Ellen Fleisher.

“They’re a tall team, and they are a talented team,” Fleisher said. “I felt like obviously we could’ve played better, but every time we play an opponent, we keep it on the floor and make adjustments and go from there.”

Sonia Acosta led the Warriors with 13 assists while junior Hailey Schatz had six kills.

The Warriors dropped to 0-3 in Class 6A, Area 10 play.

Spain Park falls to rival Hoover

Katie Best led the Jaguars with 10 kills and six digs in a 20-25, 15-25, 18-25 loss to rival Hoover.

Sydney Fritz added six digs for the Jaguars, who dropped to 11-9 overall. Kendall Carlis finished with five digs and three blocks.

Mary Grace Drum recorded two blocks and one service aces. McKenna McLain recorded a team-high 16 assists and two service aces.

Montevallo sweeps Indian Springs

Amber Cardwell led the Bulldogs with 13 kills and three blocks in a 25-12, 25-19, 25-13 win over Indian Springs.

Mallory Anderson added nine kills and a team-high 14 digs. Cardwell added 11 digs.

MaryAnn Lee finished with two kills and 13 digs. Kathryn Ray recorded a team-high 14 assists to go along with 10 digs.

Alisha Glover finished with five service aces.

Evangel tops New Life

Elizabeth Ragland led the Lightning with seven kills in a 25-19, 25-14, 23-25, 26-24 win over New Life Christian.

Ragland added 15 service aces, nine digs and two blocks. Erica Williams added six kills and seven digs.

Meghan Byrd led Evangel with 16 service aces and 11 digs. Kate Foster finished with 11 aces, eight digs and a team-high 12 assists. Rainey Ketcham added 10 aces and six digs.

Mariah Lawrence recorded 10 assists.