MONTGOMERY – Huntsville High School’s Rachel Clarke recorded 12 blocks in a key Class 7A, Area 8 volleyball match last week to lead the Panthers (28-8) to a win over Grissom etching her name in the AHSAA Volleyball Record Book in the process. Her effort placed her fifth all-time in theAHSAA Record Book for blocks in a single match and landed the senior middle hitter for Huntsville Coach Melanie Donahoo in the AHSAA Volleyball Spotlight this week.
     The state overall record (15) was set by Hazel Green’s Tierra Porter in a match with Bob Jones in 2016. Three players are listed with 13 in a single match – the most recent being Carley Brown of Brewer in a win over Spring Garden earlier this season. Hazel Green’s Elizabeth Rayhle had 13 in a match with Arab in 2021, and Tori Bradley of Wilson had 13 blocks in 2010 versus Springville.
      Clarke’s record performance could not have come at a better time. The AHSAA volleyball state playoffs start next week with area tournaments. Seeding becomes especially important since all teams advance to the post-season tourney. Area tournaments are set to be played Oct. 12-15. The winner and runner-up from each area will advance to the either the North or South Super Regional Tournaments set for Oct. 19-21 at Huntsville and Montgomery, respectively. The top four teams in each class advancing out of each Super Regional will play in the 52^nd AHSAA Elite Eight State Tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex Oct. 25-27 with all final matches scheduled for the 5,500-seat Bill Harris Arena located at the CrossPlex. 
      Clarke’s performance edged out two strong performances by setters Abby McFerrin of Arab and Kathryn Webb of Southside-Gadsden. 
      McFerrin had 161 assists in nine matches for Class 5A Arab (36-9) to lead the Knights to the Marshall County Tournament championship with a win in the finals over Guntersville. She surpassed 2,500 career assists in the process. Webb led Class 5A Southside (24-19) to six wins last week, including winning three matches to claim the Etowah County Tourney championship. She had 89 assists, upping her career  total to 2,636, and also served 24 aces for the Panthers.
     AHSAA thanks Dennis Victory of al.com and the schools’ head coaches for their weekly contributions to the AHSAA Volleyball Spotlight.
    Other notable performances from last week’s action include:

MILESTONES
CHLOE MAY, CENTRAL-FLORENCE: Had 197 assists to push hare career total past the 2,000 mark, added 20 aces, and 61 digs in eight matches for Class 4A Central-Florence (31-15). The Wildcats earned a berth in the Lauderdale County tourney versus Brooks – and claimed the 200^th career win for Coach Andrew Murphy in the process. He finished the week with 203 career wins.
TRINITY COOTS, DANVILLE: Led the Class 3A Hawks (44-15) to the championship of the Morgan County tourney with 128 assists, 16 digs and 15 aces.
ASHLEE GANN, COVENANT CHRISTIAN: Had 64 kills, 42 digs, 13 blocks and 14 aces in six matches leading the Class 1A Eagles (24-12) to the Colbert County tourney crown.

KILLS
SCARLETT ALBERT, BROOKS: Managed 92 kills and 47 digs in 12 matches as Class 4A Brooks (27-27) went 11-1.

HANNAH JONES, PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN: Had 72 kills and 42 digs as Class 3A Prattville Christian (26-17) finished 4-2 at the Battle of Old Shell Road tourney at Mobile.
ZOEY BENSON, PRICEVILLE: Had 67 kills in six matches for Class 4A Priceville.

ALLIE BRYANT, PLEASANT VALLEY: Had 43 kills, 13 aces, 37 digs and 38 assists in three matches for the Class 2A Raiders.

CALLI TANIELU, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Had 38 kills and a .361 hitting percentage, adding 5 aces and 21 digs in three matches for the Class 5A Wildcats (30-7), who moved up to 5A after winning the Class 4A state championship in 2021.

OLIVIA JACKSON, HOMEWOOD: Had 32 kills, 30 digs, five aces and two blocks in two matches Class 6A Homewood.

SARAH DAVIS, SHOALS CHRISTIAN:  Had 20 kills and 13 digs for the Class 1A Flame in a match versus Waterloo.
KENNEDY VAUGHN, BOB JONES: Had 19 kills in a win last week for the Class 7A Patriots (36-6).

MARIA GROOVER, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Had 26 kills and 41 digs in two matches for Class 6A John Carroll.

ASSISTS
JACEY ATKINSON, BREWER: Managed 182 assists in nine matches for Class 5A Brewer (32-13).

ALEXIS BELARMINO, SPANISH FORT: Had 165 assists, 40 digs, 11 kills, 9 aces and 4 blocks in seven matches for the Class 6A Toros (32-13).

BLAKELEY ROBBINS, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Had 152 assists, 15 kills and 10 aces as Class 6A Bayside (37-11) went 4-1 for the week.
ISABELLA GIBBONS, SATSUMA: Had 125 assists, 47 digs and three blocks for the Class 4A Gators (17-10) in six matches.
HANNAH PARANT, MOUNTAIN BROOK: Amassed 119 assists in five match wins for the Spartans (26-13). She also had 25 kills, 22 digs, and eight aces as Mountain Brook swept Athens, Shades Valley, Pelham, Hartselle, and Hazel Green.

ALLIE AVENA, HAZEL GREEN: Dished out 112 assists in six matches for the Class 6A Trojans (29-18).
TATIANA SHUFORD, SAINT JAMES: Had 111 assists, 34 digs and 14 service aces in seven matches for Class 6A Saint James (19-13).
AVA DODD, HOKES BLUFF: Had 50 assists in two wins for the Class 3A Eagles over Piedmont and St. Clair County in a tri-match last week.
KATE KAISER, VESTAVIA HILLS: Averaged 41 assists in  two matches last week totaling 82 for the week for the Class 7A Rebels (27-2).  Vestavia beat defending 7A state champion Spain Park and lost to 6A power Homewood.

DIGS
DELANEY CLOUGH, SPANISH FORT: Totaled 104 digs in seven matches for the Class 6A Toros (32-13).
BLAKELY FAULKNER, BREWER: Totaled 95 digs, 16 kills and 15 aces as Class 5A Brewer (32-13) went 7-2 for the week.
LACEY CLARK, PRICEVILLE: Had 93 digs in six matches for Class 4A Priceville.
AUBREY LACKEY, CURRY: Totaled 86 digs and 10 aces to lead Class 4A Curry (39-16) to a 6-0 record and the Walker County tournament championship.
EEVY BELLAR, NEW HOPE: Had 84 digs and 76 kills as Class 4A New Hope (28-11) finished 6-1 for the week.
MK WHITEHURST, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Had 78 digs in five matches for the Class 6A Lady Admirals (37-11).
EMMA STUDDARD, PELHAM: Managed 67 digs and 10 assists for the Class 6A Panthers (27-12) in five matches.
STELLA YESTER, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Managed 46 digs in two matches, an verge of 23 per match, for the Class 6A Lady Cavaliers.

BLOCKS
HOPE WEST, BREWER: Led Class 5A Brewer to seven win in nine matches with 28 blocks and 54 kills for the week.
AVA GUSTAFASON, MADISON COUNTY: Had 18 blocks and 15 kills in three matches last week for the Class 4A Tigers.
CARLY BROWN, BREWER: Managed 18 blocks and 41 kills for the Class 5A Patriots (32-13).
JOLEIGH PARMER, NORTHSIDE METHODIST: Had 16 blocks, 34 digs, 25 kills, 25 assists and five aces as Class 3A NMA (13-10) went 4-4 on the week.
ABBY WALDREP, ADDISON: Recorded 15 blocks and 25 kills as the Class 1A Bulldogs (33-10) won three matches over Class 4A Curry, Class 3A Oakman and Lauderdale County.
AUBRIELLA HAIRSTON, PLAINVIEW: Had 15 blocks and 18 kills as the Class 3A Bears (50-10) went 6-1 for the week.
LAURA CLEMMONS, LAUDERDALE COUNTY: Posted 15 blocks and 40 kills in six marches for Class 3A Lauderdale County.
CLAIRE HOLT, ATHENS BIBLE: Had 14 blocks, 42 kills, 33 digs and 10 service aces as the Class 1A Eagles went 4-2 for the week.
SERINA PETERSEN, GRISSOM: Had 10 blocks and 16 kills in two matches for Class 7A Grissom.

SERVICE ACES
PRESLEY JONES, BROOKS: Helped the Class 4A Lions (27-27) go 11-1 in 12 matches. She had 23 aces, 35 digs and 152 assists as Brooks advanced to the Lauderdale County finals.
KATY PARKER, FAITH ACADEMY: Served 23 aces, had 150 assists, 38 digs and 36 kills in eight matches for the 5A Rams (19-14) in eight matches.
KARLEE DUNAGAN, CURRY: Had 19 service aces, 63 assists, 31 digs and 17 kills to lead the Class 4A Yellow Jackets (39-16) to the Walker County tournament title.
MAYSIE DOUGLAS, BAYSIDE ACADEMY: Totaled 19 aces, 30 kills and 42 digs in five matches.
GEORGIA VALENTINE, WESTMINSTER-OAK MOUNTAIN: Delivered 19 service aces, 29 kills and seven digs in two matches for the Class 2A Eagles (9-12).

CHARLI PEARCE, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Had 18 aces to help the Class 7A Saints (25-9) go 5-2 for the week. She also had 11 blocks and 19 kills.