WINDER: After losing its 2025 opener Aug. 5 at Cherokee Bluff, Gainesville volleyball reeled off four straight wins including three as part of a second-place finish at Saturday's Queen of the Court tournament at Apalachee High School.

The Red Elephants set a dominate tone in pool play beating both Grayson 25-16, 25-12) and Prince Avenue Christian (25-17, 25-14) in straight sets. The tournament semifinals were a different story however as Big Red had to rally down a set to beat Morgan County in three (18-25, 25-23, 15-10). In the finals against Brookwood, Gainesville took the first set handily and were a point away from winning the match before giving up two-straight points to finish in second: final score 25-10, 19-25, 15-17.

Several Red Elephant student-athletes stood out during the day including Harper Orr who had 79 assists and 21 digs, Weatherly Clay and Taylor Reid who combined for 66 kills, and Pren McGarvey who finished the day with 22 digs.

Gainesville returns to action Tuesday at Banks County before playing its first home match Thursday against North Gwinnett. Tuesday's match starts at 5:00 p.m.; Thursday's best-of-five begins at 5:30.