By Myra Bean
The South Panola Lady Tigers volleyball team was so close to a win over New Albany that they could taste it. In the end, New Albany took the match 3-2.

In the first game, it was back-and-forth between the teams. New Albany scored first but South Panola soon took control of the serve. New Albany went ahead 4-1 and then 6-2 before South Panola tied the game at seven on serves by Jessica Simmerman and took the lead 8-7.The game was tied again at 11 and 16 and the Lady Tigers led 21-18. The last seven points were scored by New Albany to take the set 25-21.

The second set was also won 25-21 by New Albany, but the Lady Tigers stayed tighter to the Lady Bulldogs in scoring. The set was tied at one, two, four, five, eight and nine. After that, New Albany maintained the lead through the rest of the game.

The Lady Tigers felt a little revenge as they took the third set 25-17. The ladies at the net were more aggressive and felt confidence in their moves as Kira Coleman dropped ball over the net to take a 12-7 lead. During Simmerman’s serve, the Lady Tigers scored seven straight points to lead 14-7.

Maci Kirkland served through four points to take an 18-10 lead. While Coleman was serving, the Lady Tigers took their biggest lead 20-10.

The last two points came while Alden Clark was serving. New Albany knocked the ball out to give the Lady Tigers the 24th point and hit the ball into the net for the 25th game point for the win.

Set four was a lot closer as South Panola edged New Albany 25-23. While New Albany was serving, they knocked the ball under the net during the volley and the Lady Tigers won.
The set was tied at 14, 17, 18 and 20.

The fifth set was all New Albany as they sank the Lady Tigers 15-2 to win the match.

The Lady Tigers have a change in their schedule and the new schedule will be announced soon. The district games this week against Columbus and Tupelo have been rescheduled. The team will not participate in the Cleveland Tournament.