AHSAA STATE VOLLEYBALL: Trinity, MA advance to state finals

By TIM GAYLE

Montgomery Academy and Trinity Presbyterian both advanced to their respective finals with semifinal victories on Wednesday in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s 50th State Volleyball Championships at Bill Harris Arena.

Montgomery Academy (33-7) advanced to the championship round for the 16th time under Julie Gordon, but the first time as a Class 4A program. The Eagles won 3A state titles in 2018 and 2019 and were moved up to Class 4A under the AHSAA’s Competitive Balance Factor.

MA won championships in 1986, 2005, 2006 and 2013 in addition to the last two seasons. The Eagles will face Curry, which defeated LAMP in a thrilling five-set match, for the 4A state title on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Trinity (23-8) lost to area rival Prattville Christian twice during the regular season but defeated the Panthers for the area tournament championship and again on Wednesday afternoon in the match that mattered the most.

The Wildcats will face Plainview for the 3A state championship on Thursday at noon.

Despite the stinging loss to an area rival, PCA (36-10) set a school record for wins, won its first regular-season area championship as an AHSAA school and advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history. Last year, PCA lost in the quarterfinals to eventual state runner-up Geraldine.

“I am so proud of this team,” PCA coach Kaylon Cantrell said. “We have had an incredible season and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. There have been a lot of special moments this season -- winning the Boaz tournament, beating St. Luke’s (in the opening round of regionals) to make it to state, winning this morning to advance to the final four. Those are all memories that I’ll never forget. This is a special team and I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity to coach them.”

LAMP (23-11) ended a similarly successful season, finishing in the 4A semifinals for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Golden Tigers lost to eventual state champion Bayside Academy. The magnet school players would have faced a difficult decision had they won on Wednesday. LAMP students will be taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) on Thursday.

CLASS 1A 

Bayshore Christian 3, Donoho 1

Bayshore Christian senior Cassidy Granger turned in the performance of her prep career Wednesday afternoon totaling 35 kills to lead the Eagles to a 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15 win over Donoho in the Class 1A finals of the 50th AHSAA State Volleyball tournament at Bill Harris Arena.

For Granger and her Bayshore teammates, it was the Daphne school’s first AHSAA state title – in the school’s first year to be eligible for championship play.

For Donoho, the setback thwarted the Falcons’ effort to claim the Anniston school’s 12th state title overall. Donoho won the 2019 state crown and has won state titles in five different decades.

The Eagles finished the match with 52 kills with Ashlyn Whiteside accounting for 14 and Granger 35. Still, Donoho finished with 48 with three hitters in double digits  -- Lily Grace Draper and Mercy Mangum with 15 each and Maggie Wakefield with 13.

Falcons setter Maggie Miller had 37 assists and Eagles setter Brooke Kearney had 44. Whiteside also had 21 digs, Ella Barnes had 27 and Bayshore’s team had 93 total.  Donoho’s Ayesha Siddiqua sparked the comeback effort finishing with 27 digs and Sam Wakefield had 21. The Falcons totaled 90 for the match.

Granger was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Joining her on the all-tournament team were teammates Whiteside and Brooke Kennedy as well as the Donoho trio of Draper, Miller and Mangum.

CLASS 2A 

Addison 3, G.W. Long 1

Addison High School’s Lady Bulldogs clawed out a 25-13, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18 victory over defending Class 2A state champion G.W. Long to claim the school’s 12th state title at the AHSAA 50th State Volleyball Championships.

The title was made even more special because it was the first state championship awarded to an AHSAA school since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Alabama’s high schools last March. 

The Bulldogs (37-16) of Coach Kaydi Woodard were paced by junior Addisyn Smothers, who delivered 27 kills and added 13 digs to earn MVP honors. Senior Sunny Snodgrass also had 16 kills, four service aces and five digs. Setter Gracie Manley, a sophomore, dished out 42 assists.

G.W. Long (32-5) also had strong play up front with junior Breanna Henning accounting for 18 kills and 10 digs and freshman Emma Claire Long added 16 kills and 14 digs. Junior setter Makenna Long had 39 assists to finish the 2A state tourney with 150 for all three matches played. She had 52 in the quarterfinals and 59 in the semifinals Tuesday. The Rebels, making their fourth straight trip to the state tourney, won their first state volleyball crown in 2019.

Joining Smothers on the all-tournament team were Gracie Manley and Snodgrass of Addison and Henning, Emma Claire Long and Makenna Long of G.W. Long.

CLASS 3A

Plainview 3, Houston Academy 1

Plainview has never won a state volleyball championship, but the Bears will get their chance Thursday. 

Plainview (29-19) knocked off Houston Academy 21-25, 27-25, 25-21, 25-18 in the semifinals at the Birmingham Crossplex and advanced to play Trinity Presbyterian at Bill Harris Arena on Thursday at noon.

Houston Academy (27-18) got 18 kills and 14 digs from senior Mattie Havas, while Carryne Chancey had 16 digs and five kills. Lizzy Kate Skinner and Bailey Dykes added four kills apiece, and Abby Caldwell had 15 digs.

Trinity Presbyterian 3, Prattville Christian 0

Trinity swept past Prattville Christian (36-10) in straight sets 25-21, 25-16, 25-22 at the Birmingham Crossplex, moving the Wildcats within one win of their first state volleyball title since 1994.

Trinity (23-8) will play Plainview in Thursday’s championship game at Bill Harris Arena at noon.

For PCA, Lennon McAnnally had 14 kills, nine aces, 17 digs and a block in the two matches on Wednesday. Hannah Jones had 15 kills and five blocks, Victoria Wheeler had six kills, 10 blocks, four digs and three aces, Coco Thomas had 11 kills and nine blocks, Ella Jane Connell had 21 assists and 11 digs and Jamie Johnson had 14 assists, three kills and five digs.

Also for the Panthers, Dasha Dillard had three kills and seven digs, Emily Kamykowski had 16 digs, a pair of assists and two aces, Sydney Jorgensen had seven digs, Sally Swindall had three blocks and two kills and Avery Rogers had a pair of digs.

Houston Academy 3, Fyffe 1

Fyffe (39-15) fought off elimination once, but Houston Academy was too much and earned a 25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 25-19 victory on Wednesday at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

Houston Academy (27-17) got 17 kills and nine digs from Mattie Havas, while Bailey Dykes added 24 digs, six kills and two blocks. Sophomore setter Abby Caldwell had 44 assists, 20 digs and two aces. Senior libero Caley Caldwell also had 29 digs, five assists and three aces.

Houston Academy advances to play Plainview in the semifinals. Fyffe finishes with a 39-15 record.

Plainview 3, Thomasville 0

Plainview (28-19) stayed alive in its quest for the school’s first volleyball state title, beating Thomasville 25-21, 25-22, 25-13 at the Birmingham Crossplex. 

Ma’Kayla Jones led Thomasville (21-9) with 16 kills, while setter Abigail Schilling had 16 assists and Katelyn Parten added 10 digs. Plainview advanced to play Houston Academy in the semifinals.

Prattville Christian 3, Pleasant Valley 0

Prattville Christian (36-9) swept past Pleasant Valley (27-7) in its quarterfinal bout 25-21, 25-19, 25-19, advancing to the 3A semifinals for the first time in school history.

PCA drew area rival Trinity in the semifinals. 

Trinity 3, Lauderdale County 0

Trinity (22-8) downed Lauderdale County 25-14, 25-20, 25-20 in the 3A quarterfinal Wednesday.

Trinity’s Reese Patterson had 12 kills and four blocks, Hollister Dorey added 10 kills and three blocks, setter Addison Cherry had 42 assists and Mary Elizabeth Hill had nine kills.

For Lauderdale County (28-18), Alex Ritter had four kills, five digs and two blocks, and Katelyn Patterson added 13 assists. Ryley Stinson added 10 digs.

CLASS 4A 

Montgomery Academy 3, Madison County 0

Montgomery Academy downed Madison County 25-23, 25-8, 25-17 in Wednesday’s Class 4A semifinals and advanced to the finals against Curry on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Ann Cobern Chapman tallied 13 kills, five blocks and two digs in Wednesday’s semifinal win. Madi Caddell added 14 digs and 12 assists. Sarah Emmons contributed 14 assists and seven digs, and Anaya Thomas has nine kills.

Curry 3, LAMP 2

Curry (56-10) will play for its first state volleyball title after surviving with a 25-8, 23-25, 25-13, 24-26, 15-6 victory over LAMP in Wednesday’s 4A semifinal at the Birmingham Crossplex. 

Rae Ann Hall led the Yellow Jackets with 36 kills and 21 digs in tonight’s semifinal victory, and Grayson Evans added 19 kills, 23 digs and two aces. Senior setter Allie Downs had 53 assists and 18 digs. 

For LAMP (23-11), Olivia Hughes had 16 kills and six blocks, and Clair Conway added six kills and to blocks.

Montgomery Academy 3, Westminster Christian 0

Montgomery Academy stayed on track to win a third straight state title, despite moving up to 4A this season, defeating Westminster Christian 25-19, 25-15, 25-12 Wednesday in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

Ann Cobern Chapman led the Eagles (32-7) with 17 kills and six blocks, while setter Madi Caddell added 20 assists and 17 digs. Garrett Scott also had 20 digs, and Virginia Meacham added eight kills. 

Meg Paparella had eight kills, five blocks and 12 digs for Westminster Christian (20-15), and Calli Tanielu added eight kills, two blocks and 14 digs.

Madison County 3, St. Michael Catholic 2

Madison County rallied to win the final two sets and earn a 23-25, 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 15-6 victory over St. Michael Catholic in its quarterfinal match Wednesday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Madison County (27-12) is vying for its first state volleyball championship since 2012. The Tigers play Montgomery Academy in the semifinals.

St. Michael finished the season with an 18-19 record.

Curry 3, Northside 0

Curry, advancing to AHSAA state tournament for the first time since 2009, responded like veterans as the Yellow Jackets (55-10) delivered a dominant performance in their 25-6, 25-14, 25-10 win over Northside (7-8). 

Rae Ann Hall paced Curry with 16 kills, 11 digs and three aces, while Grayson Evans added 14 kills, 22 digs and three assists. Allie Downs had 29 assists and 14 digs and Linley Tubbs contributed seven kills and five digs.

The Yellow Jackets (55-10) advanced to the semifinals against LAMP. 

LAMP 3, Jacksonville 2

LAMP (23-10) rallied for a dramatic comeback win, claiming a 20-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-12, 15-13 victory over Jacksonville to advance to the 4A semifinals for the second consecutive year.

LAMP junior Olivia Hughes turned in an all-around performance with 14 kills, five blocks, five digs and two aces. Claire Conway added 11 kills and Grace Hoffman had 41 assists and seven digs. Annabel Baker and Anika Clark had 15 digs apiece.

Jacksonville (39-9) was led by Kayla Broom with 23 kills, 22 blocks and 16 digs, while Brenna Stone had 20 kills, seven blocks and 14 digs. Molly Wilson contributed 31 assists, eight digs and three kills.

CLASS 5A

Bayside Academy 3, West Point 0

Bayside Academy (52-4) defeated West Point 25-17, 25-7, 25-10 Wednesday night for their 19th consecutive AHSAA state volleyball championship.

This one, while much like the rest, had have even more significance, said Hall-of-Fame Coach Ann Schilling. “We broke the (national) record for championships,” she said. “That is something we hoped we could.”

Plus, the Lady Admirals became the high school volleyball team in the AHSAA – maybe the nation – to win a state crown in five different classes.

The national record for consecutive state volleyball crowns belonged to Bishop England High School of Charleston (SC), which also held the NFHS national record for most state titles overall  with 28.   

Bayside’s championship Wednesday night was the Lady Admirals’ first in Class 5A and 29th overall. That, too, broke the NFHS national record. The Admirals’ first state title was won in Class 1A and the current streak began in 2002 with a Class 2A state crown. Since then, Schilling has guided Bayside to titles in 3A, 4A and now 5A.

Class 5A MVP Brelynn Dailey wasn’t even born when the current streak started. The 17-year old setter had 37 assists in Wednesday’s 5A finals. Ella Broadhead also had 11 kills, Luci Wilkinson had 12 digs, and Emily Buhl had nine kills and 10 digs.

West Point (50-16), led by Lexi Shadix’s eight kills and 12 assists by setter Kyla Kilpatrick, set a school record wins in a season and also was the first team in the Cullman County school’s history to reach the volleyball finals.

Joining Dailey on the all-tournament team were teammates Caroline Chastang, Buhl and Broadhead, along with Shadix and Kilpatrick.

CLASS 6A

Mountain Brook 3, Hartselle 0

Mountain High School relied on balance Wednesday as the Lady Spartans won the Class 6A state volleyball championship with a 25-11, 25-15, 25-16 victory over Hartselle. 

The Spartans (34-12) of coach Vickie Nichols won their second title in a row, claiming the 7A crown last season. Mountain Brook, which has five state championships overall, dropped to Class 6A this season. Past state titles came in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

Senior libero Evelyn King earned MVP honors with her leadership and defensive skills. She was especially sharp on serve finishing with two aces and nine digs. Outside hitter Celie Field, also a senior, had five service aces and nine kills. Sims Kilgore added seven kills and Hannah Parant had 10 assists.

Hartselle, coached by Tanya Lybarger, was led by Grace Tapscott, who had 95 assists in three state tourney matches and finished with seven aces. Lillyanna Cartee also tallied 54 digs and 41 kills in the Tigers’ three state tournament contests.

Joining King on the all-tournament team were teammates Lilly Gilbert and Field, Cartee of Hartselle, Gracie Lynn Butler of Hazel Green and Kamble Frenette of Spanish Fort.

CLASS 7A 

Hoover 3, Thompson 0

Hoover won its 49th straight match with a 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 victory over Thompson Wednesday night to advance to Thursday’s Class 7A state volleyball championship match at Bill Harris Arena.

The Bucs (49-1) of Coach Chris Camper will take the AHSAA’s longest current volleyball winning streak, 49 matches, into the finals versus city rival Spain Park at 4 p.m. Hoover hasn’t lost since a season-opening loss to McGill-Toolen. The Jaguars beat the Dirty Dozen in the other semifinal Wednesday night to prevent a rematch between Hoover and McGill, but an even bigger rival match will now ensue.

    Hoover has never won a state volleyball championship, although coach Chris Camper surpassed 700 career wins earlier this season. Hoover’s Rya McKinnon and senior Florida commit Gabrielle Essix again dominated at the net in the semifinal victory over the Warriors (28-10). 

Spain Park 3, McGill-Toolen 1

Spain Park made it an all-Hoover final, knocking off McGill-Toolen 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 26-24 in the day’s final match at the Birmingham Crossplex.

The Jaguars (27-10), led by 6-foot-4 junior Audrey Rothman and coached by Kelley Bowen, advance to play rival Hoover in Thursday’s championship match at 4 p.m., at Bill Harris Arena. Spain Park  is also going for its first state volleyball state championship. McGill-Toolen finishes the season with a 41-9 record.

Hoover 3, Baker 0

Hoover improved to 48-1 on the season with a convincing 25-14, 25-14, 25-11 win over Baker (21-16) in the Class 7A quarterfinals of the 50th AHSAA State Volleyball Championships Wednesday. The Bucs opened the season with a loss to McGill-Toolen Catholic and have since reeled off 48 wins in a row advancing to the semifinals against Thompson. 

Thompson 3, Prattville 0

The Lady Warriors (28-9) became the third team from metro Birmingham to advance to the Class 7A semifinals winning its quarterfinal match over Prattville 25-20, 25-17, 25-16.

Moriah Seay led Prattville (27-9) with 29 digs and seven kills, and Alysia Fingall added 14 kills, 24 digs and three blocks. Lindsay Stout had 40 digs.

McGill-Toolen 3, Vestavia Hills 0

The Dirty Dozen (41-8) became the only remaining 7A team from outside metro Birmingham in the running for the 7A state title thanks to a 25-21, 25-19, 25-16 victory over Vestavia Hills in the quarterfinals.

Skyler Bumpers tallied 19 kills and 13 digs for McGill-Toolen, while setter Grace Petro added 38 assists and Brooklyn Hadley added 22 digs. Alexia Cole had 12 kills and 10 digs.

Spain Park 3, Auburn 0

Spain Park (26-10), making its first state tournament appearance since 2013, beat Auburn 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 to advance to the semifinals. The Tigers finished their season 24-15.

AHSAA State Volleyball Championships
Birmingham CrossPlex/Bill Harris Arena
TUESDAY-THURSDAY
CLASS 1A
Donoho (31-14) 3, Millry (9-13) 0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-11)
Pleasant Home (18-5) 3, Meek (25-14) 2 (20-25, 25-17, 27-29, 25-22, 15-10)
Bayshore Christian (19-10) 3, Covenant Christian (30-5) 0 (25-5, 25-16, 25-9)
Lindsay Lane Christian (37-10) 3, Kinston (14-7) 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-15)
SEMIFINALS
Donoho (32-14) 3, Pleasant  Home (18-6) 0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-9).

Bayshore Christian (20-10) 3, Lindsay Lane Christian (37-11) 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17)

FINALS

Bayshore Christian (21-10) 3, Donoho (32-15) 1 (25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15)

CLASS 2A

Addison (35-16) 3, Horseshoe Bend (32-7) 0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-12)

Spring Garden (37-9) 3, Ariton (24-10) 0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-20)

G.W. Long (31-4) 3, Hatton 0 (21-25, 25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 15-12)

Altamont (24-2) 3, Orange Beach (13-18) 0 (25-22,  25-22, 25-10)

SEMIFINALS

Addison (38-16) 3, Spring Garden (37-10) 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-19)

G.W. Long (32-4) 3, Altamont (24-3) 1 (25-20, 19-25, 28-26, 25-23)

FINALS

Addison (37-16) 3, G.W. Long (32-5) 1 (25-13, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18)

CLASS 3A
Plainview (28-19) 3, Thomasville (21-9) 0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-13)

Houston Academy (27-17) 3, Fyffe (39-15)) 1 (25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 25-19)

Trinity Presbyterian (22-8) 3, Lauderdale County (28-19) 0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-20)

Prattville Christian (36-9) 3, Pleasant Valley (27-7) 0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-19)

SEMIFINALS 

Plainview (29-19) 3, Houston Academy (27-18) 1 (21-25, 27-25, 25-21, 25-18)

Trinity Presbyterian (23-8) 3, Prattville Christian (36-10) 0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22)

FINALS

Plainview (29-19) vs. Trinity Presbyterian (23-8), Thursday, noon

CLASS 4A

Curry (54-10) 3, Northside (7-8) 0 (25-6, 25-14, 25-10)

LAMP (23-10) 3, Jacksonville (39-9) 2 (20-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-12, 15-13)

Montgomery Academy (32-7) 3, Westminster Christian (20-15) 0 (25-19, 25-25, 25-12)

Madison County (27-12) 3, St. Michael Catholic (18-19) 2 (23-25, 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 15-6)

SEMIFINALS

Curry (55-10) 3, LAMP (23-11) 1 (25-8, 23-25, 25-13, 24-26, 15-6)

Montgomery Academy (33-7) 3, Madison County (27-13) 0 (25-23, 25-8, 25-17)

FINALS

Curry (55-10) vs. Montgomery Academy (33-7), Thursday, 2 p.m.

CLASS 5A

West Point (49-15) 3, Elberta (14-20) 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-16)

Alexandria (37-16) 3, Satsuma (17-18) 2 (11-25, 21-25, 25-10, 25-15, 17-15)

Bayside Academy (50-4) 3, East Limestone (18-12) 0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-11)

Providence Christian (31-10) 3, Fairview (50-14) 1 (14-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23)

SEMIFINALS

West Point (50-15) 3, Alexandria (37-17) 1 (25-15, 33-35, 35-18, 25-19)
Bayside Academy (51-4) 3, Providence Christian (31-11) 0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-11)
FINALS
Bayside Academy (52-4) 3, West Point (50-16) 0 (25-17, 25-7, 25-10)

CLASS 6A
Hazel Green (32-8) 3, Northridge (26-13) 0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-17)

Mountain Brook (32-12) 3, John Carroll Catholic (22-21) (25-14, 25-16, 25-17)

Spanish Fort (42-11) 3, Buckhorn (43-16) 2 (25-16, 15-25, 25-21, 20-25, 16-14)

Hartselle (53-11) 3, St. Paul’s Episcopal (30-8) 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-20)

SEMIFINALS

Mountain Brook (33-12) 3, Hazel Green (32-9) 2 (23-25, 27-25, 26-24, 15-25, 15-9)

Hartselle (54-11) 3, Spanish Fort (42-12) 2 (25-23, 17-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-9)

FINALS

Mountain Brook (34-12) 3, Hartselle (54-12) 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-16)

CLASS 7A

Hoover (48-1) 3, Baker (21-16) 0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-11)

Thompson (28-9) 3, Prattville (27-9) 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-16)

McGill-Toolen Catholic (41-8) 3, Vestavia Hills (16-25) 0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16)

Spain Park (26-10) 3, Auburn (24-15) 0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-21)

SEMIFINALS

Hoover (49-1) 3, Thompson (28-10) 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-21)

Spain Park (27-10) 3, McGill-Toolen Catholic (41-9) 1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 26-24)

FINALS

Hoover (49-1) vs. Spain Park (27-10), Thursday, 4 p.m.