By Jeff Devine, The Chronicle
The Ariton Purple Cats entered Thursday night’s matchup with G.W. Long riding the momentum of a two-match winning streak after opening the week with a 3-0 victory over Goshen.
Ariton defeated Goshen on Tuesday, Sept. 15, continuing a strong stretch for the Purple Cats at home. The victory marked Ariton’s second straight win and improved the team to 11-2 on the season at the time. Ariton had also won eight of its previous nine matches at home.
The Purple Cats then hosted G.W. Long on Thursday, Sept. 17, for a three-level volleyball matchup featuring junior high, junior varsity and varsity competition.
Long came away with victories at all three levels.
In junior high action, Long won 25-19 and 25-22.
The junior varsity Rebels followed with a 25-20, 25-16 victory.
The varsity Purple Cats battled Long through three sets before falling 25-16, 25-21 and 25-23.
The varsity match remained competitive, particularly in the final set, as Ariton stayed within striking distance before Long closed out the 3-0 victory.
Long’s Kaylie Foster led the Rebels with 15 kills, nine digs and three aces, while Sophie Grace Stevens added 18 kills, four digs and two aces.
The loss ended Ariton’s two-match winning streak, which had begun with the victory over Goshen.
Ariton will look to bounce back as the Purple Cats continue their 2026 volleyball season. Ariton will host a Purple Cat Tournament on September 19 with the time TBA.
