MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Montgomery Academy wins 5A state volleyball title

Montgomery Academy’s freshman Morgan Springer (10) and junior Caroline McDaniel (2) go up for the block against Arab in the Class 5A finals Wednesday at the Bill Harris Arena. McDaniel was named tournament MVP. (Photo courtesy of David Holtsford/AHSAA

By TIM GAYLE

BIRMINGHAM -- Montgomery Academy bounced back from a disappointing setback in the second set with a championship-caliber performance, getting stronger with each set as the Eagles disposed of Arab 3-1 to win the Class 5A state championship in the 53rd Alabama High School Athletic Association state volleyball tournament at Bill Harris Arena on Wednesday.

Montgomery Academy extended its string of winning a championship in every classification, adding Class 5A to a resume that includes championships in 1A (1986), 2A (2013), 3A (2005, 2006, 2018 and 2019) and 4A (2020).

Next year, Competitive Balance Factor will bump up the Eagles to Class 6A for the first time.

Montgomery Academy started out strong with a 25-16 win but mistakes contributed to a 25-23 setback in the second set. The Eagles responded with an impressive 25-19 win in the third set, then pulled away with a dominating 25-14 win in the final set for their eighth state championship.

The win avenged a loss to Arab in the 5A semifinals last season. It marked the only time in the last seven years that Montgomery Academy failed to reach the finals. Overall, it was the program’s 18th trip to the state finals.

In the first set, the Eagles led 15-12 before scoring the next four points to take charge. Montgomery Academy also scored the last four points to take a 25-16 win.

In the second set, Montgomery Academy allowed five consecutive points on errors to help the Knights to a 16-10 lead. The Eagles rallied with six straight points to draw within one and evened the score at 23-23 before Arab scored the set’s final two points to grab a 25-23 victory.

It was the first set won by a Montgomery Academy opponent in the postseason. The Eagles had 3-0 victories over Demopolis, Jemison, Faith Academy, Rehobeth, Gulf Shores, Brewer and Lawrence County entering the finals.

Montgomery Academy rallied for a 25-19 win in the third set, breaking a 13-13 tie with kills by Addi Vinson and Isabella Johnson along with several Arab mistakes that allowed the Eagles to score six consecutive points and take control of the match.

Junior outside hitter Caroline McDaniel was named the tournament’s most valuable player after recording 21 kills and 16 digs in the championship match, but it was certainly a team effort in which everyone contributed.

Also making the all-tournament team were teammates Elle MeBride, Addi Vinson and Emmy Sorrell, along with Arab’s Laney Kelley and Sami Kate Hudson. McBride had 15 kills and six digs, Vinson had 51 assists, two aces and 17 digs and Sorrell had 20 digs along with five assists.

The Eagles’ lone senior, Isabella Johnson, had nine kills, while Morgan Springer had eight kills, Amelia Hughes had seven kills and Kaci Armistead had 16 digs. Claire Poundstone had three aces to lead the Eagles in that category.

The Eagles (53-6) finished the season with the second-most wins in school history, trailing only the 2005 team that went 54-4 while winning the 3A state title over Danville.

In 6A, Mountain Brook (46-5) defeated Saraland 25-15, 25-14, 26-28 and 25-15 to win their seventh state championship.

In 3A, Plainview (51-5) won its first-ever volleyball championship with a 3-1 win over Mobile Christian, winning 25-19, 25-11, 15-25 and 25-22.

In 2A, Pleasant Valley (40-12) swept Sand Rock to win the championship.

The remaining three classifications will crown champions on Thursday.