Solid week from Bearcat Arena for Cullman volleyball:
GDW volleyball team spotlight:
Cullman Lady Bearcats: Last week Cullman was at Bearcat Arena for the first time with new coach Amy Hudson.
The home environment served its purpose for the Lady "Cats to compile four victories vs. good opposition.
On August 27, Cullman gave Hudson her first victory in defeating arch rival Hartselle 25 to 17 and 25 to 21.
Later that evening, Cullman went to battle with a solid 5A team from Springville.
The Lady 'Cats rolled by the Lady Tigers 25 to 9 in the opener. Springville regrouped and earned a 27 to 25 triumph to force a tiebreaker.
A late surge by Cullman sent them to the win column with a 16 to 14 victory and a nice start on the home court.
Two days later, a tri match was played with Austin and Good Hope visiting the CHS campus.
Three close games was on display with Cullman and Austin. The Lady 'Cats won the first set 25 to 21, Austin took game two 26 to 24 and Cullman claimed triumph in the tiebreaker, 15 to 11.
Good Hope stepped on to Bearcat Arena having won 7 of 9 assignments prior to this encounter.
Cullman maintained the winning edge in coming from behind in both sets. Lady 'Cats controlled the opener after falling behind 3 to 0.
Another comeback was shown in Cullman with a 25 to 20 decision. They were down 7 to 0 and stayed calm in working their way back into contention.
So Cullman is 4 & 0 at Bearcat Arena and 0 & 4 in matches played on the road, one week into the 2024 season. A 4 & 4 record awaits Hudson and her team in beginning the September schedule on Tuesday in a tri match at West Point.
GDW volleyball player spotlight:
Blakely
Brannon and Karina Harris of Cullman:
A pair of experienced players were solid for Cullman to wipe out an 0 & 4 trip to Hoover the previous weekend and go 4 & 0 from Bearcat Arena in the first full week of the new season.
Brannon made impact plays in the tri match with Hartselle and Springville.
Six kills vs. Hartselle with three coming in the late moments of the 2nd set allowed the Lady 'Cats to start the home schedule 1 & 0 and defeat their arch rival from Morgan County.
Vs. Good Hope, Brannon tallied 14 consecutive service points in the 1st game. Cullman went on to win this set 25 to 10 with Brannon certainly in true form for coach Hudson.
Harris was steady all week, but where she raised her level of performing, came in the 2nd set against Good Hope.
With her team down 18 to 13, Harris converted seven straight on serve and the Lady 'Cats never trailed the rest of the way.
Her play near the net gave Cullman balance with the Lady 'Cats making progress after winless in their first four matches.
Photo of Cullman bench with Blakely Brannon before a match at Bearcat Arena August 25.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
