To reclaim the Cullman County title, Good Hope High’s volleyball team knew exactly what it had to do:

Get a victory over a team with just as much talent.

“Whenever we play each other, it’s always neck and neck,” said Raiders coach Rosemary Brown. “Anyone can come out on top.”

On Tuesday, Brown’s Raiders came out on top, beating Holly Pond in a three-set thriller to advance to the championship round of the Cullman County tournament.

Good Hope’s 25-17, 21-25, 15-11 victory was the first step in reclaiming the county title after losing to Holly Pond in last year’s championship game on its home floor.

The three-game win reflected the close nature of the series this season. Entering play Tuesday, each team had beaten the other once.

“(Holly Pond coach April Hays) has some good points that I don’t have, and I have some points she doesn’t have,” said Brown. “We pick up things well on defense, but her team out-hits my team.”

Good Hope took control of the first game with eight consecutive serves by senior Brandi Hudson. With the game tied at 15, the Raiders outscored the Broncos 10-2 the rest of the way.

Holly Pond used its own run in game two, erasing a 17-13 deficit to win 25-21.

In game three, Good Hope scored the final four points to claim the match.

Katie Windsor led the Raiders (23-13) with 17 kills, while Kayla Johnson had 10 kills and four blocks. Elizabeth Hardin tallied seven kills, Ashley Stanley finished with 23 assists and nine kills, and Hudson added two aces.

For Holly Pond, Lindsay Hestla finished with 16 kills and two aces, Kelsey Hawkins recorded eight kills and Raeven Gilley had 17 assists. Haley Terry and Haley Bagwell had four kills each, while Nora Henderson added 10 assists.

Good Hope will face the winner of the elimination bracket Thursday at 4 p.m. The match was moved up to accommodate the football game between Hanceville and Vinemont, which will kick off Thursday at 7 p.m.

Holly Pond (26-10) will face the winner of the West Point-Fairview game in the elimination bracket final Thursday at 3 p.m.

Good Hope 25-25, Hanceville 11-17: The Raiders cruised past the host Bulldogs in the first match of the day.

Hudson and Jordan York recorded five kills apiece to lead Good Hope, while Stanley recorded 14 assists and three aces. Hardin added two kills and six aces.

West Point 25-25, Vinemont 9-23: West Point advanced to the winners bracket by beating Vinemont in the first round.

Rachel Persall led the Warriors (14-11) with eight kills and Allyson Cagle added six kills, two aces and three blocks.

Vinemont (9-11) was led by Sydney Whittle’s five kills. Janie Foust added three kills and two aces.

Fairview 25-25, Cold Springs 11-16: The Aggies beat Cold Springs in the first round. Statistics from the game were unavailable.

Holly Pond 25-25, West Point 23-15: The Broncos began their day with a win over West Point in the second round.

Hestla tallied nine kills to lead the Broncos, while Hawkins had eight kills and Henderson finished with 13 assists. Terry had six kills and Gilley added 11 assists.

For West Point, Persall recorded four kills, while Patty McClure had three aces and three kills. Susan Harbison and Cagle had two kills apiece.

Good Hope 25-25, Fairview 19-12: Good Hope advanced to the winners bracket final with a victory over Fairview.

Windsor led the Raiders with 14 kills, two aces and three assists. Kayla Elrod recorded six kills, two blocks and two assists, while Johnson added eight kills and two blocks.

Fairview 25-25, Vinemont 22-16: Fairview advanced to face West Point in the elimination bracket semifinal on Thursday.

Vinemont got three kills from Whittle, while Foust recorded two aces.

Hanceville 25-25, Cold Springs 14-22: Hanceville eliminated Cold Springs. Statistics from the match were not available.

West Point d. Hanceville: The Warriors advanced to the elimination bracket semifinal by defeating Hanceville. Statistics from the match were not available.

Michael Cummings can be reached by email at michaelc@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 734-2131, ext. 258.