GULF SHORES, Ala. — Pearl River volleyball kicked off the Alabama Gulf Coast Classic with a strong 2-0 day, defeating No. 20 Lurleen B. Wallace 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 29-31, 25-23, 16-14) and Snead State 3-1 (25-29, 13-25, 25-14, 31-29). 

"We were matched up with two really good teams today and we came into both games with the mind to turn them into two really good wins," head coach Haley Chatham said. "We served and passed well so we created a lot of opportunities to score. And we didn't crumble in crunch times.  Our leaders put on the backpacks right when they needed to and decided to win." 

PEARL RIVER 3, LURLEEN B. WALLACE 2. 
Pearl River (16-7 overall) and Lurleen B. Wallace (12-6) battled point for point to open the match, with the score knotted at 15-15 after nine ties.  

The Wildcats rallied behind a powerful Reagan Ziegler (Lacombe La., Lakeshore) kill and a diving save from Kinsley Jean Stegall (Saucier, Our Lady Academy) to spark a 4-0 run, making the score to 19-15. 

After a few back-and-forth points, a late-game service ace by Jordyn Wilks (Independence La., Hammond Magnet) pushed the score to 21-17 helping Pearl River secure a 25-23 victory in set one.  

The Wildcats got off to a slow start in set two, going down 22-9 before firing off seven straight points to cut the deficit to 22-16. The late rally fell short, however, as they dropped the set 25-18 

Pearl River once again found itself trailing early in set three but battled back to tie the score 11-11, following a sliding dig by Wilks, a high-lofting assist by Claire Smith (Coldwater, Lewisburg) and a thunderous kill by Avery Wheat (Gonzales La., East Ascension).  

Down 20-16 late, a back set by Smith gave Morgan Mears (Hurley, East Central) the perfect look to hammer the ball past the Saints defenders, sparking a six-point run to put the Wildcats on top 22-20.  

The match remained tightly contested, with ties from 25-25 to 29-29, before the Wildcats ultimately dropped set three in a 31-29 finish.  

Pearl River came out strong in set four, jumping to a 5-0 lead capped by a service ace from Mears. The Saints answered and tied the game at 8-8, 10-10, 13-13 and 15-15, but the Wildcats responded with a 4-0 run to take a 19-15 lead. 

After the run, Pearl River never trailed and closed out set four with a 25-23 win, forcing a decisive set five.  

Set five started in favor of Lurleen B. Wallace, but the Wildcats had other plans. Trailing 11-5, Pearl River mounted a fierce comeback, tying the set at 14-14 on a clutch block by Mears.  

A kill by Lila Willett (Chelsea, Ala.) and a service ace by Wilks sealed the deal, giving the Wildcats a thrilling 16-14 victory in match one.  

PEARL RIVER 3, SNEAD STATE 1. 
Match two against Snead State (12-4) began with Pearl River taking an early 7-6 lead highlighted by a service ace from Wilks. The Wildcats extended their lead to 11-7 behind three Willett kills, each set up by assists from Smith. 

The Wildcats' second service ace came from sophomore Lindsey Hall (Hattiesburg, Oak Grove), who fired the ball into the gap between two Snead State defenders to extend Pearl River's lead to 23-16. Mears delivered one final service ace to close out set one, securing a 25-19 win for the Wildcats.  

Pearl River battled through set two but could never find their rhythm, ultimately falling 25-23.  

Set three was neck and neck midway through, with Pearl River trailing 14-12 before erupting on a dominant 13-0 run. The surge was highlighted by four service aces from Wilks and a pair of kills from Willett, propelling the Wildcats to a 25-14 victory.  

Pearl River got off to a quick start in set four, scoring the first two points to take a 2-0 lead. The set remained tightly contested throughout, with two key blocks from Ziegler giving the Wildcats a 14-12 advantage midway.  

The battle continued with ties at 15-15, 17-17, 19-19, 20-20, 24-24, and 25-25, setting the stage for another nail-biting finish. The Wildcats took the lead five different times before finally closing out the set —and the match — with a hard-fought 31-29 victory, improving to 2-0 on the Alabama Gulf Coast Classic.  

NEXT UP 
Pearl River continues play in the Alabama Gulf Coast Classic tomorrow in Gulf Shores, Ala., facing Gadsden State at 11 a.m. and the United States Sports Academy at 3 p.m. 

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