Vancleave Volleyball Rallies Past George County in Four-Set Thriller

VANCLEAVE, Miss. — It was a battle between two undefeated district champions Tuesday night as Vancleave hosted George County in a thrilling matchup to open the final week of the regular season.

The Lady Bulldogs came out firing in the opening set. Brenley Hunter handled the serve receive before Hadleigh Hall sent a back set to Sophia Hollomon, forcing a shank and giving Vancleave an early 5-3 lead.

A few points later, Ava Patch made a diving save on serve receive, and Mallory King set up Claire Christian on the outside. Christian delivered with a powerful kill to extend the Bulldogs’ advantage.

Vancleave continued to build momentum as Presleigh Tapp sent the serve over to Hall, who set up Mahea Hawthorne for a hard roll shot. The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 11-7.

George County answered with a kill of its own. Claire Christian passed to King, who delivered a back set to Emalyn Lightsey, and Lightsey went straight down the middle for a Rebel kill.

But Vancleave continued to showcase its versatility. Hall connected with Hawthorne on a back-row attack, and Hawthorne found a way around the block for another Bulldog point. The Bulldogs pulled away late and cruised to a 25-11 win in the opening set.

George County came out swinging in the second.

Lexi Eubanks set up Claire Christian, who went cross-court for another kill to open the set. Junior Mallory King then extended the Rebels’ lead with an ace that found the back of the court. King later finished off the set with a hard push as George County held on for a 25-22 victory, tying the match at one set apiece.

The Lady Bulldogs refused to let the Rebels take control. Vancleave battled back to win the next two sets and secured the four-set victory, 3-1.

With the win, Vancleave improved to 32-6 on the season as the Bulldogs head into the postseason. Both Vancleave and George County will begin playoff competition next week.