Jordyn Porter hit the game winning single in the bottom of the seventh inning to drive in pinch runner Tiffany Hamilton and push the North Hall softball team to a 4-3 victory against Franklin County on Thursday in Carnesville.

Danielle Newbern and Ellie Forrester each had two hits on the night for North Hall (1-3, 1-0 Region 8-AAA). The Lady Trojans will visit Stephens County at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Volleyball

NORTH HALL 3, LUMPKIN COUNTY 0: The Lady Trojans won in straight games in Dahlonega on Thursday. Kathryn Bell had 19 assists and five aces to lead North Hall offensively. Sarah Paschall’s nine digs led the team on defense and she also added six kills and an ace. Lauren Gregory had a well-rounded day with six kills, five aces and five digs for North Hall who will visit Walnut Grove at 5 p.m., Tuesday.

WEST HALL SWEEPS LANIER TRI-MATCH: Led by Laykin Herford’s 21 assists and Nicolette Ashley’s 11 digs, the No. 9-ranked Lady Spartans defeated Lanier and Meadowcreek on Thursday at Lanier. Tonya Bennett and Laniescha Kearse each had five kills in the win over Lanier (25-7, 25-19). Summer Schmeltz had three aces and a 15-point service run in the Game 1. Senior Gracie Allison had four kills in the win over Meadowcreek (25-13, 25-14). West Hall (9-3) will next play at 10 a.m., Saturday at the Jefferson playdate.

FLOWERY BRANCH TAKES TWO AT HOME: Katherine McMillan had seven kills and nine aces as the Lady Falcons beat North Forsyth and Salem on Thursday.

Amber Merchant had five kills and Brittani Hill added four in the win over North Forsyth (25-22, 25-19). Kenzie Grewett had 10 assists and two kills for the Lady Falcons. Bekki Benton had four assists and two kills in the win over Salem (25-11, 25-10). Alexis Love had eight kills and four aces on the day for Flowery Branch (4-2, 2-0 Area 8-AAAA), which next plays at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Forrest Park at Clarke Central.

JEFFERSON 2, RABUN COUNTY 0: The Lady Dragons had 13 teams aces in a 25-9, 25-17 win Thursday at Rabun County. Eden Starnes had five of those aces and added four kills for Jefferson (9-3, 2-0 Area 8-AA/A). Taylor Cramsey lead the Lady Dragons with nine kills and Cassie Metcalf chipped in seven. Amanda Daniel had 19 assists and Sarah Wood added three for Jefferson, which plays host to a six-team playdate beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

BUFORD DROPS TWO AT HOME: Liz Darden had 29 digs and Maggie Roper added 17 kills and 11 digs, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Wolves lost two, three-game matches on Thursday against Hebron Christian 19-25, 25-18, 25-21 and Brookwood 25-19, 20-25, 25-23 in Buford. Jessica Falletta had eight kills and six aces while Jenna Falletta had 21 assists for Buford (10-4), which next travels to Brookwood for a playdate on Saturday.

LAKEVIEW ACADEMY SPLITS TRI-MATCH IN GAINESVILLE: Jamie Nixon had 11 kills and two aces as the Lady Lions beat East Hall 25-20, 17-25, 25-20 and lost to North Oconee 25-14, 25-8 on Thursday.

Molly Gay had 13 assists for Lakeview and Mona Abraham, Lauren Lewallen and Alaina Plummer each had four kills.
Katie Zottnick had three digs for Lakeview (6-8, 2-0 Area 8-AA), which next plays at 9 a.m., Saturday at the Jefferson playdate.

Cross Country

GAINESVILLE BOYS WIN MEET: The Red Elephants took first place at the Athens Academy Tune-Up 3K run Thursday. Pablo Alberto (11:17, fourth overall), Merly Vasquez (11:18, fifth), Marquel Woodard  (11:27, sixth), Brandon Singh and Christian Gomez led Gainesville to 40 points and a victory over six other schools.

The Lady Red Elephants placed second at the same event, led by freshman Sara Hayes who took first place overall with a time of 12 minutes, 45 seconds. Maria Carpio, Becky Basquez and Brinkley Frankum each finished in the top 15 for Gainesville.