By GRAHAM CARR / Staff Writer

ALABASTER – The Spain Park Jaguars defeated the Thompson Warriors 3-2 (19-25, 25-7, 25-18, 18-25, 15-11) on Oct. 9 at Thompson.

Spain Park was led by Morgan Scott with 14 kills and three digs, while Madison Bearden added five kills, two digs and a block.  McKenna McLain chipped in 15 assists, four digs and four kills. Kylie Beaubien had six kills, four digs and a service ace. Chandler Horton added 11 assists and seven digs.

In set one, Spain Park scored the first two points, but then watched Thompson go on a 12-4 run.  The Jaguars battled back to get within 13-12, but did not get any closer as Thompson finished the set on a 13-7 run to win, 25-19.

Spain Park only trailed once in the second set at 1-0, before the Jaguars outscored the Warriors 25-6 the rest of the way winning, 25-7.

Thompson let Spain Park jump ahead in the third set 7-3, before rallying to tie the score at 8 apiece.  Neither team was able to gain more than a one point lead until finally, Spain Park was able to claim a 15-13 lead.  The Jaguars did not relinquish it pulling away on a 10-5 run to win the set, 25-18.

In the fourth set, Thompson flipped the script from the second set by falling down 3-0 before taking the lead at 4-3 and did not surrender it.  The Jaguars did close the gap to within 17-15 late in the set, but were unable to get closer as Thompson won 25-18.

In the final set, Spain Park never trailed and finished the game on a 7-3 run to break open an 8-8 tie.

Thompson was led by Kelsea Bivens with 10 kills, seven digs, four blocks and three aces, while Tara Miller added 15 assists, three blocks, two aces, and seven digs.  August Newberry chipped in 10 digs for the Warriors.

“I think Thompson played a great match,” Spain Park coach Paula Dill said. “I won’t take anything against them at all. Both teams played their hearts out.”

Dill did not waste anytime turning her attention to the next opponent though.

“Thursday night we have Oak Mountain and Oak Mountain again in the area tournament next Thursday,” Dill said. “We are in preparation to win that so that we can advance out. That is our goal.”