Prep Volleyball Roundup: Perennial state power OLA off to an impressive start after sweeping homestanding Biloxi

Julia Hoffman of OLA tries to make a shot against Biloxi’s Kate Kuykendall and Nicole Miles. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BILOXI — Our Lady Academy showed on Thursday night why it is considered a perennial prep power on the volleyball court in the state of Mississippi.
The Lady Crescents, who have won three of the past five Class 3A state championships including the last two, swept homestanding Biloxi Thursday night 3-0 at The Biloxi Sports Arena. The win moves OLA to an impressive 10-1 record overall in the young campaign, with the lone loss coming to Class 7A power Brandon.
In addition to Biloxi, OLA has knocked off Long Beach, Vancleave, Hancock and Ocean Springs in four of its last five matches without losing a set in any of those affairs.

Biloxi’s Lisa Jenkins and Jada Washington try to block a shot by Myah Favre of Our Lady Academy. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Myah Favre of OLA makes a shot over Biloxi’s Samantha Bowie. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Kate Kuykendall of Biloxi makes a tip towards OLA’s Taylor Henley and Ava Davis Thursday night. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Taylor Henley and Ava Davis of OLA defend against Biloxi’s Kate Kuykendall in prep volleyball action Thursday. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

In the latest win over the Lady Indians, Myah Favre led OLA with 11 kills while Kaylin Kinniburgh had six serving aces. Kinsley Stegall registered 10 digs, and Ava Davis had 26 assists to pave the way in the winning effort.
Next up, OLA steps out of “Southern Six” action and travels to Purvis Tuesday night.
Biloxi came into the match-up with OLA off of a sweep of its own, dispatching visiting East Central 3-0 two days earlier.
Elsewhere, over the weekend the Lady Indians hosted their own invitational tournament. Biloxi won its two matches with two straight sweeps, knocking off Pass Christian 2-0 and Picayune 2-0.

Myah Favre of OLA keeps her eye on the ball against Biloxi. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Nicole Miles of Biloxi tries to defend OLA’s Julia Hoffman. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Nicole Miles of Biloxi and OLA’s Myah Favre battle at the net Thursday. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Taylor Henley of OLA makes a shot against Jada Washington of Biloxi, Thursday. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

Biloxi’s Zoe Williams and Nicole Miles leap for the volleyball. (Tim Isbell/South Miss 6 Sports)

The Lady Indians begin Region 4-7A play Tuesday night by hosting D’Iberville. Also, Ocean Springs hosts St. Matin in league play also and Harrison Central travels to Gulfport.
The Lady Warriors beat West Harrison 2-0 on Saturday as well as dispatching East Central by the same count. The Lady Hurricanes bounced back to beat East Central 2-1.
In other action on Saturday, Hancock beat Vancleave 2-0 and the same two teams will meet in a rematch Tuesday night in Vancleave.
Also, Long Beach beat Poplarville 2-0, Harrison Central swept Forrest County AHS 2-0 and St. Patrick dispatched Gautier by the same score.

East Central’s Kaitlynn Hooks stops Biloxi’s Nicole Miles Tuesday light. (Tim Isbell)

Biloxi’s Jada Washington and Lisa Jenkins try block by East Central’s Mady Krebs. (Tim Isbell)

Lila Gerrie of East Central moves against Biloxi’s Jada Washington and Lisa Jenkins. (Tim Isbell)

And, Hancock beat Purvis 2-0 while Harrison Central swept Long Beach and Pearl River Central by the same score. Vancleave beat Picayune 2-1 and Poplarville bounced back to beat county rival PRC 2-1 as well.
Pass Christian knocked off St. Patrick 2-0 and Picayune bounced back to beat Gautier 2-1.

On Monday night, St. Martin swept Moss Point 3-0 while Long Beach knocked off Bay High 3-1.

Other upcoming matches on Tuesday in the “Southern Six” include Pascagoula facing Moss Point for the second time this season as well as Gautier hosting West Harrison and East Central travels to George County.

Meanwhile, Picayune travels to Bay High and PRC heads to Poplarville.