Walnut celebrated two senior milestones, then added a team achievement Tuesday, Oct. 6: its 30th victory and a place in the third round of the Class 2A girls volleyball playoffs.
The Lady Wildcats swept East Webster 3–0 at home, joining Pine Grove and Ripley in a three-win playoff night for Tippah County. Pine Grove also advanced in straight sets, while Ripley answered a third-set setback to finish its match in four.
Before Walnut took the court, seniors Vivian Brown and Molly Kate Rolison were recognized for reaching 1,500 assists and 1,000 kills, respectively, according to the report shared by Walnut’s school page. The honors preceded a victory that extended the Lady Wildcats’ winning streak to 11 matches.
Walnut’s sweep lifted its record to 30–4. After dispatching Leland in three sets Saturday, the Lady Wildcats have won all six sets of their postseason so far.
Ripley had to work through a longer finish. The Lady Tigers won the first two sets against Itawamba Agricultural 25–11 and 25–19, putting themselves one set from advancement in Class 4A. The visitors stayed alive with a 25–23 third-set win, but Ripley closed the match 25–21 in the fourth for a 3–1 home victory.
That gave Ripley consecutive four-set playoff victories following Saturday’s win over North Pontotoc. The Lady Tigers improved to 17–15 and have won four straight matches.
Pine Grove kept its Class 1A postseason unblemished with a 3–0 home win over West Union. The Panthers, now 23–11, followed Saturday’s sweep of West Lowndes with another, matching Walnut’s six-set start to the playoffs. Tuesday’s result was Pine Grove’s third consecutive victory.
