Panthers take area

Published 10:46 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Jemison followed up its county volleyball tournament championship on Saturday with the Class 4A, Area 7 tournament championship on Tuesday.

The Panthers defeated Calera 3-1 (25-15, 25-13, 24-26, 25-12) in the championship match.

“We seem to be playing at the top of our game right now, or at least more consistent,” Jemison coach Leighsa Robinson said.

The hosts won the first two sets easily before Calera found life in Set 3, taking an 18-12 lead then withstanding a Jemison rally.

The visitors were helped by some missed Jemison serves late in the set.

The Panthers bounced back to win Set 4 easily.

Both Jemison and Calera will play in a regional tournament beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, but the site couldn’t be determined at press time.

Kasi Wells, for the second tournament in a row, was named Most Valuable Player. Wells recorded 37 assists and 14 kills in two matches and was 41/45 from the service line with 11 aces.

Tabatha Cork had nine digs, nine kills, eight aces and seven assists and was 24/27 from the service line.

Codi Mims was good for 11 kills and a block, and Shelby Griffin had five kills and three blocks.

Whitney Childress had 10 kills and eight aces and was 19/22 serving.

Dallis Vanderslice contributed 20 digs and four aces and was 21/22 serving.

Emily Smithey had 13 digs and four aces and was 19/23 serving.

Childress, Cork, Mims and Vanderslice were all named to the all-tournament team.

Jemison defeated Holt 3-0 (25-10, 25-7, 25-9) in the day’s first match.

Calera defeated Bibb County High 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-17).