Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The volleyball Class 4A defending state champs are picking up where they left off in 2024. The Prattville Christian Academy Panthers started the season with a win over Class 7A Prattville. Over the weekend, the Panthers won five matches, not dropping a single set, to claim the Panthers Classic Tournament championship.
“I’m definitely proud of how we played this weekend,” said PCA Volleyball Head Coach Kaylon Cantrell, a two-time state champ (Class 3A in 2022 and Class 4A in 2024). “I feel like we continued to get better as the day went on. We saw some good competition and had to overcome some adversity, but we continued to work together and play as a team. There’s definitely still work to be done, but I’m really proud of where we are right now and the girls’ fight to continue to get better!”
In pool play, the Panthers defeated Elmore County 2-0 (25-15, 25-17), Demopolis 2-0 (25-14, 25-10), and Lee-Scott Academy 2-0 (25-17, 25-19).
The Panthers then advanced to tournament play and defeated Brew Tech 2-0 (25-7, 25-16) to advance to the championship game where they faced Class 6A Pike Road. The Panthers defeated Pike Road 2-0 (25-16, 25-19).
The Panthers amassed the following statistics over the five matches played during the tournament:
Baylee Rogers had 80 assists, 11 aces, 7 kills, 1 block, and 26 digs.
Maren Diefenderfer had 10 aces, 38 kills, 4 blocks, and 3 digs.
Olivia Rossi had 22 kills, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 digs.
Anniston Robison had 6 aces, 15 kills, 1 assist, and 13 digs.
Leah Cate Wilson had 16 kills, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 digs.
Morgan Fowler had 4 aces, 8 assists, and 41 digs.
Aiden Williams had 9 aces, 1 assist, and 19 digs.
Kenadie Minor had 4 aces and 14 digs.
Christiana Franklin had 2 blocks, 2 kills, and 2 digs.
Marion Lewis had 2 kills and 1 dig.
Aubrey Cox had 2 assists and 2 digs.
Haven Harrell had 2 digs.
Sara Grace Smith had 1 kill.
Kandice Crosby, Maddie Brownlee, and Copeland Miller each had 1 dig.
