Story By Heath Hambrick

The Fort Payne Lady Wildcats continue to pile up wins this volleyball season. The Lady Cats went 5-2 to capture the Silver bracket at the Athens Invitational on Saturday. 

Fort Payne started with a win over Class-1A No.5 Athens Bible 2-0 (25-12)(25-16). In the second match of pool play, the Lady Wildcats fell to DAR in three sets, 2-1. Fort Payne took the first set 25-16, but then lost the final two 25-23 and 15-13.  The Wildcats dropped the next pool game to 7A Sparkman in two close sets, 25-21 and 25-23. Fort Payne rounded out pool play with a victory over West Limestone in three sets, 2-1. The Wildcats lost the first set 25-18 but took the final two 25-20 and 15-8. 

To open bracket play, Fort Payne defeated Randolph in the semi-finals in two sets, 2-0 (25-14)(25-18), to advance to the bracket championship match against West Limestone. 

Fort Payne won its third tournament bracket of the season, defeating West Limestone in two sets 2-0 (25-18)(25-14). 

Fort Payne improved its record to 33-9 (2-0). The Wildcats have won 17 out of their last 20 matches and are just five match wins away from tying the school record for wins (38), which has been achieved three times. 2001,2014, and 2023.

Fort Payne’s next matches are Tuesday on the road at Boaz against the Pirates and the Douglas Eagles.