RMS volleyball takes two from Haleyville

By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
The Russellville Middle School seventh and eighth-grade teams each earned a home win over Haleyville in volleyball action on Monday.
The RMS eighth-graders prevailed in a marathon match, edging Haleyville 14-25, 25-12, 25-18, 17-25, 15-8.
Russellville coach Bridgette Smith said a new playing rotation was a big key to the win.
"This was our first match with the different lineup, and I think we'll be sticking with it," she said. "The girls said they really loved it. We're trying to put people in the position they'll be in down the road if they keep playing. I told [varsity] Coach [Charlotte] Dollar to get excited, because she's got some talented, hard-working girls on the way up to join what she's already got."
Smith said her squad seemed to play with more energy in the new rotation.
"A lot of times, when you're really excited about something and you enjoy what you're doing, you put forth a little more effort," she said. "We've played a lot of close matches this year, but we seemed to be coming up just a little short each time. I hope this is something that's going to put us over the top."
Smith said that Petra Malmquist, Janae Dollar, Brenda Bohannon, Hollie Hillman and Laura Fennel each had several good serves for Russellville. Bohannon recorded three aces, and Dollar had one.
Smith also said that Magen Young, Tasha West, Felicia Collins and Hillman all came up with key blocks at the net.
She added that Fennel, Malmquist, Dollar and McKenzie Messer each had several good serve receives.
"They all played really well together as a group," Smith said. "They played with a lot of excitement."
Russellville's seventh-grade team swept three straight games from Haleyville, winning 25-10, 25-22, 25-16.
Taylor Smith had 15 good serves and three aces, and Heather Cole, Lindsey Mann and Casey Bolton each had several assists.
Meghan Ritchie, Amber Elliott and Smith each had several good serve receives.
Russellville was scheduled to travel to Florence on Tuesday and will host a tournament on Saturday.