The Effingham County Lady Rebels volleyball team bounced back after an opening match loss to Brunswick with a three-set victory over Savannah Arts Academy in its first action of the season Tuesday.

The Lady Pirates downed the Lady Rebels 25-20 and 25-13 in the opener before Effingham rallied to outlast the Lady Panthers 25-15, 26-28 and 15-11.

“The Savannah Arts game was absolutely awesome,” said first-year ECHS coach Joey Jandasek. “It felt like we were in the championship.”

Savannah Arts also beat Brunswick, giving each team a win and a loss on the day.

“I don’t know if it was jitters, but we should have beaten Brunswick,” Jandasek said.

Harleigh Martin had nine digs and three kills against Brunswick, while Sarah Quarterman had eight digs and two kills. Sara Smith, Effingham’s libero, had 11 digs. The libero is a defensive player who can play only on the back row.

Smith also had 11 digs in the win against SAA. Kemmer Mingis had two aces, three kills and two blocks, Crystal Mitchell added 12 assists in her debut as the setter on the varsity and Quarterman finished with six digs and two kills.

ECHS plays St. Vincent’s and Savannah Christian on Thursday night, and will meet South Effingham Friday at SEHS in the all-Effingham day.