WHITE OAK -- Nothing has fazed Spring Hill thus far. Not losing all-state standout Savannah Voelzke, and not longtime rival White Oak.

The seventh-ranked Lady Panthers continued their early-season domination with sweeps of Hallsville and White Oak on Tuesday night, running their record to 8-0.

Spring Hill, which took home the Van Tournament championship over the weekend, controlled the action from start to finish. The Lady Panthers defeated Hallsville 25-18, 25-17, 25-21 before winning the nightcap of Tuesday's tri-match over White Oak (No. 3 in Class 2A) 25-21, 25-21, 25-17.

White Oak's Makenzie Goll celebrates a point during the Ladynecks' victory over Hallsville on Tuesday in White Oak. (© Christopher R. Vinn/www.etsn.fm)
White Oak's Makenzie Goll celebrates a point during the Ladynecks' victory over Hallsville on Tuesday in White Oak. (© Christopher R. Vinn/www.etsn.fm)
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It was Spring Hill's second victory of the season over White Oak (7-2), a 2A state semifinalist from a season ago.

"I think it's been good for us to play quality teams early because it's a measuring stick of exactly where you are," said Spring Hill coach Karen Brundrett. "We know we can go in and beat other teams that aren't as quality as these two. But to come in here and the Van Tournament and beat teams like that gives the kids confidence that we're moving in the right direction."

The trio of sophomore Ann Hollas, senior Jacey Fleet and senior setter Rachel Riestenberg led the way for Spring Hill.

Hollas had 15 kills, Fleet added eight and Riestenberg finished with 30 assists in the victory over White Oak. Fleet contributed 16 kills, Hollas added 12 and Riestenberg contributed 39 assists in the sweep of Hallsville.

"I think that's a key," Brundrett said of her attack at the net. "But just as much of importance is the setter because she knows exactly where they are and she knows exactly what she wants to give them. Rachel is mature to take on this task this year. And you see her on the court with such focus and determination, and what great leadership."

Hallsville's Haley Boyett receives the ball during a match at White Oak on Tuesday. (© Christopher R. Vinn/www.etsn.fm)
Hallsville's Haley Boyett receives the ball during a match at White Oak on Tuesday. (© Christopher R. Vinn/www.etsn.fm)
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White Oak scored the first three points of the match, but Spring Hill reeled off five consecutive points for a 16-12 lead to take control in the opening game. In Game 2, the Lady Panthers broke open a close contest by scoring seven of eight points for a 19-13 lead. Spring Hill put the finishing touches on the sweep by scoring six straight points for a commanding 15-9 lead in the third game.

"Both Hallsville and White Oak are very, very good teams," Brundrett said. "Our kids are on a mission this year, and everyone they meet, they want to say that when they walked off the court they gave it everything they had. And we let the score take care of itself."

The Ladynecks were led by Madison Pecot's nine kills. Rebecca Green and Taylor Tramel combined for 12 kills, while the duo of Cayman Sutton and Kailee Simmons teamed for 22 assists.

In Spring Hill's victory over Hallsville, the Lady Panthers broke a 6-6 tie in Game 1 by scoring five consecutive points before a 4-0 run later in the game resulted in a 16-8 lead. Spring Hill led comfortably for most of Game 2, but Hallsville cut the deficit to 19-17 before the Lady Panthers put it away by closing the game on a 6-0 run. In the third and decisive game, Spring Hill jumped out to an 11-2 lead and then saw its lead dwindle to 18-17. Hallsville tied it at 21-21 before the Lady Panthers finished things off with four consecutive points.

Allison Lawrence led Hallsville with nine kills. Erin McCallum added six kills and Haley Boyett finished with three kills and 19 assists.

In the first match of the evening, White Oak took down Hallsville in four games, 22-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-22.

Tramel led the Ladynecks with 10 kills, Pecot added nine kills, Rebecca Green registered eight kills, two blocks and two aces. Sutton finished with 18 assists. Hallsville was paced by Savannah McAmis' 10 kills. McCallum, Lawrence and Madison Gonzalez combined for 20 kills, while Boyett added 30 assists, three kills, three aces and a block.

Spring Hill continues its season next Tuesday at home against Pine Tree. White Oak is at Tyler Bishop Gorman on Thursday, while Hallsville is at Tyler Lee next Tuesday.

Spring Hill's Ann Hollas returns the ball during the Lady Panthers' sweep of Hallsville on Tuesday evening in White Oak. (© Christopher R. Vinn/www.etsn.fm)
Spring Hill's Ann Hollas returns the ball during the Lady Panthers' sweep of Hallsville on Tuesday evening in White Oak. (© Christopher R. Vinn/www.etsn.fm)
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