Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Prattville Christian Academy Volleyball team did not drop a set in four matches of the Class 4A Super South Regional Tournament held at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. In Round 1, the Panthers defeated Ashford (25-7, 25-12, 25-9). During the victory, senior Aiden Williams surpassed her 500th varsity career dig.
The Panthers won the 2nd round against Munford (25-9, 25-9, 25-15). PCA defeated St. Michael’s in the semi-finals (25-18, 25-8, 29-27) and Orange Beach in the region championship (25-23, 25-15, 25-15). The region championship is the second in a row for the PCA volleyball team, which also won the state championship last season.
“It definitely feels good to win another regional championship,” said PCA Volleyball Coach Kaylon Cantrell. “I’m just so proud of the girls for their resilience and fight this week.”
Player stats were provided by PCA:
Baylee Rogers had 140 assists, 4 kills, 8 aces, 25 digs, and 3 blocks.
Maren Diefenderfer had 60 kills, 9 aces, 13 digs, and 6 blocks.
Leah Cate Wilson had 35 kills, 5 blocks, and 1 dig.
Olivia Rossi had 36 kills, 3 blocks, and 5 digs.
Anniston Robison had 13 kills, 29 digs, 13 aces, 1 assist, and 1 block.
Morgan Fowler had 41 digs, 2 assists, 6 aces, and 1 kill.
Aiden Williams had 33 digs and 8 aces.
Marion Lewis had 1 kill, 3 digs, and 4 blocks.
Kenadie Minor had 2 aces and 14 digs.
Elle Maddox had 2 kills.
Christiana Franklin had 1 dig and 1 block.
“Maren Diefenderfer just completely dominated this week for us,” said Coach Cantrell. “She was putting holes in the floor! It was a lot of fun to watch her! But she doesn’t get to do that without our back row or our setter. The back row played so well and consistently gave Baylee great balls to put up for our hitters. And I have to give a big shout out to our bench! They have so much fun cheering on their teammates, and they bring such fun energy. The court definitely feeds off that!”
The Panthers record improves to 36-11 on the season. They will take on Madison County in the first round of the State Tournament in Birmingham on Wednesday at noon. If the Panthers defeat Madison County, they will play in the state semi-final later Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. The Class 4A State Championship match will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. “We are excited to have a chance to defend our title next week. We know it’s not going to be easy! Every team we face from here on out has the same goal as us – to bring home a blue map. We’re going to face some of the teams we put out last year, so we know they’ll be coming for us for sure. But we’re going to do everything we can to prepare, and hopefully give ourselves the best chance we can to win another state championship,” said Coach Cantrell.
