Now that the 2024 volleyball season is in the second half of region action, contending teams are in hotter pursuit of playoff spots.
Vancleave won 3-1 at home against East Central on Thursday night as region games abounded across the Southern Six.
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 4-0 in Region 4-5A and took a huge step toward the title while the Lady Hornets fell to 3-1. East Central and Vancleave came into the match off three-set sweeps as the Lady Hornets defeated Stone High while the Lady Bulldogs dispatched Wayne County.
Gautier (3-1), coming off a sweep of Laurel, won 3-1 at home against Wayne County. The Lady Gators appear well on their way to joining their Jackson County rivals in the postseason.
Wayne County will battle Stone and Laurel for the final playoff spot.
In Region 4-7A, Ocean Springs (6-0) and Gulfport (5-1) continue to set the pace.
The Lady Greyhounds won 3-0 at St. Martin while the Lady Admirals scored a 3-1 victory at Harrison Central.
Biloxi (2-4) prevailed at home 3-0 against D’Iberville (3-3) in a match the Lady Indians needed to get back into the playoff picture.
Harrison Central is 2-4 and looks to battle D’Iberville and Biloxi for the final playoff spots while St. Martin is seeking its first region win of the season.
In Region 4-6A, the George County Lady Rebels improved to 3-1 with a home sweep of Picayune (1-3).
Region leader Hancock (4-0), playing on the road, defeated Pascagoula 3-0 with the Lady Panthers still in search of that elusive first region victory.
Long Beach (2-2) was a four-set winner against visiting West Harrison (2-2) in a match with huge playoff implications as each team looks to stay within reach of Hancock.
As expected, Region 8-4A looks like a battle to the end for the four playoff spots.
Poplarville (3-0) has once again set the pace and will return to region play on Sept. 10 at Moss Point.
Bay High (2-1) swept Moss Point (winless in the region) in Bay St. Louis on Thursday.
Greene County (1-3) made the long trip to Pass Christian to play the Lady Pirates, who took all three sets and improved to 2-2.
In 8-3A, OLA continues to roll as the Crescents have yet to drop a set in region play. They are 4-0 in the region after a 3-0 victory in Bay St. Louis against Purvis.
St. Patrick (3-2) faced a tough West Marion team on the road, and the Lady Trojans won 3-0.
In 8-1A, Resurrection (3-0) continues to sit atop the standings after its victory over Lumberton. The Lady Eagles get back into region play on Sept. 10 at home against East Marion.
