The Selma High Lady Saints made the quick trip over to Southside High School to pick up its eighth win of the season against the Lady Panthers (5-6) in four sets.

The local rivals divided by just 10 miles and the Alabama River play intense games each time they matchup, and the match on Monday afternoon was no different.

The first game was played tightly all the way to the last point. The girls went point for point until the Lady Saints finally separated themselves at the end to win the set 25-22.

Selma High took that momentum in the second set and served the ball well enough to create some distance between themselves and the Lady Panthers. The Lady Saints won the second set decisively 25-12.

The Lady Panthers were a game away from losing the match, so they regrouped and outplayed Selma to survive another game. Southside won the third set 25-18.

“They were just more focused and communicated better,” Southside head coach Samantha Henry said.

Selma High took care of business in the fourth set and ended the match winning 25-15. However, the Lady Panthers didn’t make it easy. Despite the Saints multiple kill shots, the Panthers kept several rallies alive diving for balls and fighting through each play.

The Saints improved its record to 8-10 (0-2 area) after Monday’s win. Even though the team won, Lady Saints head coach Katasha Turner still expected a better effort from her team.

“I know I have the team, but they have to learn how to talk to each other,” Turner said. “That’s the one small, but big thing that has been a thorn in our side this whole season.”

The Lady Panthers also ended its canned food drive at the end of September. Their annual food drive provides canned goods for the Selma Area Food Bank, which is scheduled to pick up the donated goods on Tuesday. Coach Smith’s class was the winning classroom with more than 75 donated canned goods.