by Jamie Harris
The Paw Paw Lady Pirates volleyball team delivered a dominant performance Friday night, September 5, in front of a packed home crowd, sweeping the Union Tigers 3–0 in their home opener. The evening was made even more meaningful as the school paused between the JV and varsity matches to honor the memory of Jeff Palmer, a beloved supporter of Paw Paw Schools and athletics.
A new score table mat was unveiled in his honor, standing as a lasting tribute to Palmer’s love, dedication, and commitment to the Pirate community. The heartfelt ceremony was a reminder of how much he meant to Paw Paw, with many in attendance expressing their gratitude for his years of support.
On the court, the Lady Pirates wasted no time setting the tone, winning in straight sets: 25–17, 25–8 and 25–10. Abby Williams had a standout night, leading Paw Paw with 18 service points, 12 aces, a kill and 9 assists. Kyndal Corbett fueled the attack with 13 service points, 8 aces, and 3 kills, while Sophia Ross added 11 service points, 5 aces, a kill and 4 assists. Lydia Ross contributed 6 service points and 3 aces and Alexis Kidwell chipped in 3 service points, 2 aces, and a kill. At the net, Shayla Tanouye powered the offense with 9 kills.
The JV squad also picked up a victory to start the evening, defeating Union 2–0. Sarah Thorne served 7 points, and Nikki Dick added 4 service points to lead the young Lady Pirates.
It was a night to celebrate both a community pillar and the strength of Paw Paw volleyball. The Lady Pirates will look to build on this strong start as their season continues.
The Palmer Family came to the Paw Paw Volleyball game to honor Jeff Palmer.
