By GRAHAM CARR / STAFF WRITER

HOOVER-The Pelham volleyball team finished with an overall record of 3-3 in the Over the Mountain tournament this past weekend hosted by Hoover High School.

On Friday, Sept. 22, the Panthers fell to Guntersville High School 0-2 (14-25, 21-25) in their opening match of the tournament.  Junior Caitland Smith led the Panthers with five kills while sophomore Autumn Wild-Hiett chipped in four kills and three aces.  Sophomore Hayley Brisendine added nine digs.
In the second game of the night, the Panthers defeated South Forsyth High School (Ga.) 2-1(27-25, 22-25, 15-9).  The Panthers were led by Wild-Hiett with five kills, ten digs and three aces.   Senior Bradleigh Smith added five kills while sophomore Emily Jackson had three aces.  Caitland Smith had another solid game with nine kills. Brisendine added 15 digs while senior Haeden Tucker had 10 digs.

On Saturday, the Panthers opened against Thompson High School.  Pelham defeated Thompson 2-1 (25-19, 25-27, 15-5) with Caitland Smith again leading the way with 10 kills.  Bradleigh Smith followed up with six kills and four aces. Tucker had 10 digs and Brisendine added nine digs.  Junior Lauren Bass had three aces.
After eventual tournament champion McGill-Toolen Catholic High School 0-2 (11-25, 11-25) beat the Panthers, they bounced back to beat Albertville High School 2-0 (25-8, 25-22). Caitland Smith continued her hot streak leading the Panthers with eight kills against Albertville.  Wild-Hiett chipped in five kills and eight digs.  Brisendine added seven digs and Tucker had four aces.

Pelham fell in their last match of the weekend to St. Paul’s Episcopal High School 1-2 (26-24, 21-25, 11-15).  Caitland Smith finished with 13 kills.  Wild-Hiett ended her solid weekend with six kills and 12 digs.  Hayley Brisendine added nine digs and Bradleigh Smith contributed four aces to finish their weekends.  The Panthers are now 11-13 on the year.