Gilmer Tops Spring Hill For Share Of District Lead

GILMER -- The Lady Buckeyes got a 10-year monkey of their backs Saturday, a victory against the storied Spring Hill volleyball program.

Gilmer's 15-25, 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 15-12 win allowed the team to jump into a first-place tie in District 16-4A alongside Spring Hill. Both teams have 6-1 records within the league and both squads have three regular season games to try to settle the difference.

It was the Lady Buckeyes' first win against Spring Hill since 2005, and it avenged a three-set loss to the Lady Panthers on Sept. 29.

Jaci Traylor led the winning side with 36 assists through the five-set match.

Destiny Brooks and Belynda Ray were Traylor's most regular finishers. Brooks scored on 18 kills and Ray scored on 10 kills.

Ray also scored on five blocks while Brooks aced three serves.

But Ray wasn't alone in the front court. Alex Koudelka scored a team-best eight blocks and Demicya Griffin added seven blocks.

Brooks led Gilmer in the defensive department with 11 digs.

The Lady Buckeyes will travel to Gladewater on Tuesday. They swept Gladewater earlier this month at home.

Spring Hill will host Bullard on Tuesday. Bullard sits squarely in third place with a 5-2 district record.

If Gilmer and the Lady Panthers finish the regular season with the same district record, they have the option to play a one-match playoff to determine which team gets the league's first seed in the postseason.