Two good wins at Bearcat Arena for new CHS coach Amy Hudson:
GDW Analysis:
Amy Hudson's debut as volleyball coach at Cullman High School from Bearcat Arena will be remembered for a long time.
Cullman accomplished a huge task Tuesday, beating arch rival Hartselle in straight sets in Hudson's first time to coach at home.
Then the Lady Bearcats pulled off a great comeback victory over a good Springville team. They rallied in the tiebreaker to claim a 16 to 14 victory.
This was good for Hudson and her team after they went 0 & 4 in the Juanita Boddie Invitational over the weekend in Hoover.
Cullman is also currently playing without senior Ava Ray. Ray is recovering from a vertebrae issue and hopes to return to the squad in about two weeks.
The unfortunate start with Hudson in Hoover was erased when the Lady 'Cats led Hartselle from the beginning in the first set and never trailed.
Three points on serve came right away by Olivia Dover. A kill by Dover then three service points by Ainsley Cameron enabled the Lady 'Cats to move the lead to 12 to 4.
Cameron delivered a kill in pushing the score to 19 to 9. Karina Harris followed with a kill, two kills by Blakely Brannon and service scores by JerrieSue Godbee and Clementine Hollingsworth closed out the first set in 14 minutes.
Hartselle managed to get the lead in game two and held it at 17 to 16 when a net foul was called on the Lady 'Cats.
Hollinsgworth tied the score with a kill, five consecutive service points from Livy Smith gave Cullman momentum until Hartselle had gained service and was down 24 to 21.
The Lady Tigers served the ball out of play, giving Cullman match point with the contest being played in 48 minutes.
Hartselle then challenged Springville, This would go to a tiebreaker.
Springville earned victory in the opener 25 to 21, Hartselle then won the 2nd set 25 to 19 and played better than Springville for a 15 to 8 verdict and leave Bearcat Arena at 1 & 1 in this tri match.
For the Cullman - Springville clash, the Lady 'Cats prevailed 25 to 9 in game one. Four straight points on serve by Harris got the team going then Smith would score four in a row as Cullman was solid in all phases of the match.
The last four points were scored from Lily Nixon with coach Hudson seeing balance in her squad from the service line as well as attacking the net.
Cullman broke a 14 to 14 tie in the 2nd set when Harris tallied a kill off a serve from Brannon. The Lady 'Cats were up 21 to 17 when Springville stopped them from earning a sweep.
A lift on the Lady Tigers allowed Cullman to lead 25 to 24. Springville broke serve and converted a kill, a block and a kill in winning 27 to 25 and make it a tiebreaker for the 2nd time in the tri match.
Cullman was on the verge of defeat with Springville leading 14 to 11 and serving. Godbee responded by getting a kill then went to the service line to tally three in a row for a fantastic finish by the home team and their new coach.
Harris had a kill and a block in this span to support the service effort by Godbee.
Now the Lady 'Cats take momentum into a tri match at Bearcat Arena Thursday.
Cullman and Austin will start it at 4:30 p.m.
Austin faces Good Hope at 5:30 p.m. with Good Hope and Cullman to do battle at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Good Hope will come into the tri match with an undefeated record in regular season play at 4 & 0 and 7 & 2 for the young season.
Photo of Cullman Lady 'Cats pregame before their match with Hartselle Tuesday at Bearcat Arena.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton
