Good Hope VB takes winning streak into new week:
Lady Raiders champion of Good Hope Volleyball Brawl:
GDW Analysis:
GOOD HOPE: Momentum was not with Good Hope volleyball when the 2025 season opened last Thursday in close losses of a tri match to Albertville and Madison County.
That became very different and a great way Saturday.
Good Hope worked hard all day from Good Hope Gymnasium to win its Volleyball Brawl championship in dramatic fashion over the Hayden Lady Wildcats.
After two days on the floor, Natasha Holder's Lady Raiders have 5 wins in 7 assignments.
Now with this to be the first full week of AHSAA volleyball, Good Hope will face county foe Cold Springs at home Monday.
This will be the best of 5 with the Lady Eagles starting at 5:30 p.m.
From Saturday:
After defeating Vinemont in the winners final, Good Hope waited and got Hayden for the grand prize in the 7th year of this early season tournament.
Hayden sent Vinemont home in the losers' final by winning the match 2 games to 1.
Vinemont was 3 & 3 in its debut of Kaydi Woodard after having a great run coaching the program at Addison High School.
Good Hope handled Hayden in the first set 25 to 12. It was a comeback effort in the 2nd set for the Lady Raiders, avoiding a tiebreaking matchup.
The Lady Raiders were on the cusp of Hayden winning the set with a 24 to 21 lead. Good Hope stopped Hayden and was able to take advantage of a foot fault on a Hayden serve and two other close calls made by the referee that figured well onto Good Hope's side.
A service point by Maggie O'Neal put them ahead at 27 to 26. The match ended with a kill by freshman Isabella Guzman and the great day of 5 & 0 came to a wonderful close.
Gameday Weekly analyzed a day long effort of chemistry and good performing from the defending Cullman County VB champion.
Three that stood out were senior Emma Herring, freshman Guzman and senior Caselyn Whatley.
Now the Lady Raiders seek their 6th consecutive victory from home just four days into the start of 2025 play.
Cold Springs played in the brawl, but was unable to win in four assignments, losing a tiebreaker to Vinemont and hard fought challenges with Fairview and Hayden twice.
Playing well for coach Kate Peek with GDW watching the Lady Eagles have been sophomore Hollyn Bruer, junior Kelsey Wilson, sophomore Allie Light and freshman Hagan Ellis.
Having a good Saturday to open its schedule:
Cullman was in the Smith Lake Classic at Curry High School.
The Lady Bearcats 2nd year with Amy Hudson began with a huge triumph over Addison 2 games to 1.
Cullman followed with a sweep of Oakman then went down by a 2 to 0 margin to Curry.
The Lady 'Cats ended the round robin format knocking off Hatton in straight sets.
Tuesday:
JB Pennington & Corner at Vinemont 4:00
Cullman at Curry 4:30
Hanceville at Oakman 5:30
Fairview & Arab at East Lawrence 4:00
Cullman Christian at Athens Bible 4:30
Cullman Christian vs. Elkmont 5:30
Holly Pond at Brindlee Mtn 4:00
West Point & Haleyville at Winston Co 4:30
Photo of Good Hope coach Natasha Holder and her Lady Raiders after winning the Volley Brawl Saturday night at Good Hope Gym.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton
