Spring Hill Lady Panthers Impressive in Wins Over Hallsville, White Oak

LONGVIEW — Spring Hill, of Class 3A, rolled past 4A Hallsville and 2A powerhouse White Oak in an intense volleyball tri-match Tuesday night.

Savannah Voelzke, a University of Arkansas commit, put on a clinic by dominating at the net with five blocks and 15 kills to add to her five digs as Spring Hill took down White Oak in four games, dropping the first game 25-20, but clawing back to win three consecutive games 29-27, 27-25, 25-19.

This Lady Panthers' victory was their second of the evening after sweeping Hallsville 25-13, 25-18, 25-18, propelled by Voelzke’s 20 kills, five blocks and 10 digs.

Other big contributors for the Lady Panthers included Jacey Fleet and Mikai Brown, who combined for six kills and nine digs as Spring Hill recovered from dropping the first three points of the game due to two net violations and an ace by Hallsville’s Katie McElroy.

Hallsville started off strong again in Game 2 behind three consecutive aces by Nathalia Lomax.  The Lady Cats didn’t hold the lead for long.

Behind the meticulously placed serves of Voelzke and Fleet and unforced errors on behalf of Hallsville, Spring Hill was able to enjoy a 6-0 run to close the match.

Rachel Riestenberg of Spring Hill recorded 17 assists to go along with her two kills, while Allison Akins and Aly Curtis chipped in with five digs apiece.

Hallsville’s Allison Lawrence knocked down eight kills and had four blocks in the first of the Lady Cats’ two losses Tuesday night.

The evening concluded with the much-anticipated matchup between longtime rivals Spring Hill and White Oak.

Fueled by the consistent serving of Dorothy Swanson and Shelby Stillwell, White Oak rallied past Spring Hill for a 25-20 victory in the first game of the night’s final match.

In the second game the Lady Panthers and Lady Necks played point for point, going to game-point status seven times before Spring Hill's Dani Decherd sealed the deal with the final two serves of the game, to even the match at 1-1.

Game 3 of the match was decided by the perfect service of Rachel Riestenberg, who went 8 for 8 giving the game-winning point to Spring Hill.

The final game of the match ended when the Lady Panthers, triggered by another outstanding serving performance by Riestenberg, knocked down six consecutive service points to elevate Spring Hill’s lead to 23-16. White Oak attempted to make a comeback but couldn’t finish the job.

"Teamwork was a big part of our win,” Spring Hill coach Karen Brundrett said.  “The girls knew what their responsibilities were and they did their job each play. We need to work on our fundamental skills and consistency to be a top contender when district rolls around.”

White Oak’s Dorothy Swanson had 11 kills in the Lady Necks’ 25-12, 25-16, 25-23 sweep of Hallsville in Tuesday night’s second match.  Taylor Trammel added seven kills, while Shelby Stillwell recorded 11 digs and one kill.

Allison Lawrence and Cassidy Ferrill led Hallsville, combining for 11 kills in the match.

Spring Hill returns to action Aug. 28 at Pine Tree, White Oak plays host to Tyler T.K. Gorman on Thursday and Hallsville is at Longview on Thursday.