By Scott Nickerson

Elmore/Autauga News

The defending AHSAA Class 3A Volleyball state champs are headed back to the state tournament next week in Birmingham, after qualifying during the 16-team 2023 South Volleyball Regionals held at the Multi-plex in Montgomery. With single elimination play, and only the top four teams advancing, teams had to win two different matches on the first day of competition to move on to the state tournament. Results of the competition on the second day would be used to seed the remaining teams for the state tournament next week.

In the Panthers’ first contest, they coasted against Randolph County, winning 25-1, 25-5, and 25-6. In their second match, PCA defeated Houston Academy 25-12, 25-17, 22-25, and 25-11, earning a spot in the Class 3A state tournament.

In the Regional Semi-Final on the second day of the competition, the Panthers fell to St. Luke’s 17-25, 25-19, 16-25, and 14-25. However, Prattville Christian Academy rebounded in the consolation match, clinching the #3 seed in the South Regional, with a victory over Walter Welborn 25-17, 25-19, and 25-16. The Panthers record for the season improves to 33-19.

Prattville Christian Academy will take on the Geraldine Bulldogs at the Birmingham CrossPlex in the opening round of the state tournament on Tuesday, October 31, at 9:00 a.m. With a win, the Panthers will advance to the semi-finals on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. The Class 3A State Championship game will take place at Bill Harris Arena on November 1 at 10:00 a.m.

“I am so excited and proud of our girls for making it back to the state tournament. We have worked so hard this season to get to this point. The girls have really bought in to the process, and they are willing to do whatever it takes for the team to be successful. We are looking forward to another shot at chasing the blue map,” said Prattville Christian Academy Head Volleyball Coach Kaylon Cantrell.

For the Class 3A South Regional, Baylee Rogers had 20 aces, 8 kills, 1 block, 104 assists, and 26 digs.

Emma Cate Carter had 13 aces, 43 kills, 6 blocks, 1 assist, and 24 digs.

Natalee Wheeler had 6 aces, 1 kill, 9 assists, and 25 digs.

Baileigh Seale had 14 aces, 4 kills, 6 assists, and 22 digs.

Leah Cate Wilson had 24 kills, 13 blocks, and 3 assists.

Kyra Sims had 21 kills, 8 blocks, 2 assists, and 7 digs.

Jenna McClendon had 19 kills, 10 blocks, 1 assist, and 3 digs.

Paysley Bayer had 16 kills, 3 blocks, 1 assist, and 9 digs.

Brylee Byrd had 8 aces, 1 kill, 1 assist, and 14 digs.

Dakotah Zimbelman had 2 kills, 1 assist, and 1 dig.

Aiden Williams had 3 aces, and 7 digs.
Morgan Fowler had 8 aces, 2 assists, and 21 digs.

Olivia Rossi had 1 kill and 1 block.