By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Christian Academy volleyball team claimed the school’s second state championship in the last three years, defeating Alexandria in the Class 4A State Championship match (22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-19). The Panthers won the Class 3A state championship in 2022.
After dropping the first set of the championship match, the Panthers pulled out two close sets before winning the 4th set and claiming another title.
“To drop the first set of the state championship game is tough, but they didn’t let it get to them,” said PCA Volleyball Head Coach Kaylon Cantrell. “They stayed focused and played even harder. They came together and worked even more as a team.”
While winning the state championship will always be the one remembered and celebrated, the win in the Final Four might have been the biggest challenge the Panthers faced all season. The Panthers dropped the first two sets against Madison County, but pulled out a “reverse sweep,” winning the final three sets, each of which came with the pressure of win or go home.
“I am so incredibly proud of my team!” said Coach Cantrell. “I’ve told this team since the beginning of the season that this team is special. They have more determination and grit than any team I’ve ever coached. They face adversity head on, and never give up! To be down 0-2 in the Final 4 game and completely turn it around and get the reverse sweep is not easy. But they did it.”
Statistics from the championship match were provided by PCA:
Emma Cate Carter – 24 kills, 2 aces, 14 digs, and 1 block
Baylee Rogers – 45 assists, 1 kill, and 15 digs
Maren Diefenderfer – 11 kills, 4 blocks, and 1 dig
Leah Cate Wilson – 11 kills, 1 block, and 2 digs
Natalee Wheeler – 8 digs
Brylee Byrd – 11 digs
Morgan Fowler – 8 digs and 3 aces
Aiden Williams – 10 digs and 2 aces
Jenna McClendon – 2 kills, 3 blocks, and 2 digs
Paysley Bayer – 5 digs
Emma Cate Carter was named the Most Valuable Player and Baylee Rogers and Maren Diefenderfer were named to the Class 4A All-Tournament Team.
After winning the Class 3A title in 2022, the Panthers moved up a classification and won another title just two years later.
“To win another state championship for our school and our program is what every team hopes for,” said Coach Cantrell. “For me as a coach, I’m just so incredibly thankful to be a part of it! I have an amazing coaching staff and support at PCA, and this was an amazing group of girls! I’m thankful that they believed in me enough to buy in to what I asked of them this season. It was a complete team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
