Jacksonville's Lady Eagles picked up two key area victories against Cherokee County and Alexandria to remain unbeaten in area play. Over the weekend Jacksonville went 4-2 in the Wallace Community College Tournament to give it a 26-4 record.

If there was any question as to the Lady Eagles strength in their area this year it was answered at Alexandria on Thursday night as Jacksonville defeated the Lady Cubs 25-19, 25-19, 25-22. It was in the third game of the match that Jacksonville showed just how strong, physically and mentally, it is.

After winning the first two games fairly easily, Alexandria jumped on top of Jacksonville 8-1, 13-6 and then 18-12 in the third game. Undaunted, Jacksonville clawed its way back, tying the game at 21-21 and then going on to win the game and the match 25-22.

Coach David Clark was obviously pleased with the performance of his team.

"We had a lot better focus," he said. "It looked like we came ready to play. I think we learned tonight that if you stay with it and you continue to play hard and you continue to play with confidence then good things will happen for you.

"That's the first time we've come back from that deficit in a game to set point this season, so that says a lot about where we're headed."

Caroline Neisler led the Lady Eagles with 18 kills, two blocks, three digs and one ace; Taylor Palmer added 14 kills, six blocks and two aces and Megan Cabrer had 35 assists, two kills, one block and two aces.

At Centre earlier in the week the Lady Eagles won 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-9, and 25-17). Cabrer had one kill, four blocks, three aces and 31 assists. Palmer added 18 kills, seven blocks, three aces; Caroline Neisler, nine kills, four aces and Lana Bell six kills and one ace.

At the Wallace Community College Tournament, in pool play Jacksonville defeated Plainview 25-13, 25-20; Tupelo 25-13, 25-16; lost to Addison 19-25, 25-21, 9-15; and beat Catholic 25-23, 25-19.

In the quarterfinals the Lady Eagles downed Geraldine 25-21, 20-25, 15-12 before being put out by Winston County in the semi-finals 26-28, 18-25.

Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley also stayed perfect (4-0) in area play with wins over Piedmont and Glencoe.

At Piedmont, Pleasant Valley won 3-1 (25-21, 25-9, 27-29, 25-18).

Jessie Kate Stewart and Jessica Boozer both had 16 kills; Payton Lewis 10 kills, Whitney Glass 40 digs, Jordan Luttrell 20 digs; Ashley Bryant 53 assists.

At Glencoe the Lady Raiders picked up a 3-0 win in area play. No stats were available.

Over the weekend Pleasant Valley came in second in the Clamfest Volleyball Tournament at Wellborn. The Lady Raiders lost to Ohatchee in the finals 25-23, 21-25, and 11-15.

The Lady Raiders (21-13) defeated Horseshoe Bend, Wellborn, Lincoln and Alexandria.

Jessie Kate Stewart led the attack for Pleasant Valley with 66 kills, 44 digs and 13 blocks. Whitney Glass had 119 digs and 32 kills; Payton Lewis 42 kills; Jessica Boozer, 30 kills; Jordan Luttrell, 56 digs and nine aces; Morgan Smith, 36 digs, Amber Pruitt, 30 digs and Ashley Bryant 34 digs and six aces.

JCA

Jacksonville Christian Academy also won two area games last week to go 3-2 in area play, 7-8 overall on the season.

The Thunder defeated Ragland 3-0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-22).

Katy Miller led the Thunder with seven kills, Lindsey Huggins had six kills and Kandace Postell added four kills and three aces. Kendra Whitehead had five aces and 16 assists.

In an area win against Faith Christian, Miller and Huggins set a new record by recording 15 kills each. The old record was 12. Kendra Whitehead also broke a school record with 20 assists.

JCA defeated Faith Christian in a marathon event 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 26-24, 18-25, 15-13).

JCA had to come from behind to win the third game. Trailing 24-21 the Thunder won five consecutive points behind the serving of Taylor B. Walker.