SUPER REGIONAL RECAP: PCA moves into semis; ACA, STJ, Pike Road end seasons

Emma Kate Carter returns a shot during PCA’s win Wednesday in the 3A super regional at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE
As Prattville Christian Academy coach Kaylon Cantrell reflected on last year’s 3A state volleyball championship, she knew the Panthers would have a tough time defending their title.

Sure, there was talent returning and every team has its own identity, but replacing CoCo Thomas and Hannah Jones would be a monumental task.

Her players surprised her a little by guiding the Panthers back to the state tournament for the fourth time in the last five years with a win over Houston Academy in the second round of the South Super Regional on Wednesday at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.

“I feel like this year we’re able to mix the ball up more instead of relying on one or two key players,” Cantrell said. “We have several players who can execute and make plays happen. Our defense, I think, is stronger this year. And I think this team has really good team chemistry. They work well together.”

The Panthers (32-19) defeated the Raiders 25-12, 25-17, 22-25 and 25-11, advancing to the semifinals of the South Super Regional and qualifying for next week’s state tournament at Bill Harris Arena.

Mobile Christian and Walter Wellborn will play in one semifinal and Prattville Christian will face St. Luke’s Episcopal in the other, with the two winners playing for the regional title. Seeding for all four teams will be determined in two games on Thursday at 12:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The Panthers struggled early in the season finding the right combination but one thing that helped was the returning talent in the backcourt. The defense from Baylee Rogers, Brylee Byrd and Natalee Wheeler was crucial as the team searched for the right complement of players on the front line.

Cantrell credited the hard offseason work by the players who were determined to make a return trip to the state tournament, something that once was a bonus at the school but is now an expectation.

“I think the culture of the program has changed a lot,” Cantrell said. “We’ve really worked to develop a winning culture in the volleyball program and we’ve got girls that are super competitive. They play travel ball -- they’re always playing volleyball -- they want to win and they’re doing everything they can to make it happen.

“It’s just become an expectation. This year, we thought, was going to be a little bit of a rebuilding year but it ended up being better than we expected. Everybody’s doing their job and they’re doing their job well.”

ACA eliminated

Amber Hogan was hoping to see her Alabama Christian Academy volleyball team take the next step after reaching the South Super Regional a year ago.

The Eagles lost in the first round a year ago, but found themselves evenly matched with first-round opponent Walter Wellborn this season. After beating the Panthers 25-22 in the first set, ACA lost the next three (25-18, 25-21 and 25-21) to finish the season at 10-25.

“It is disappointing in the sense that last year we played St. Luke’s first and that was a really hard bracket for our first time back in a while,” Hogan said. “Today, I think the girls knew it was possible. But I told them these teams are scrappy and they’re going to keep the ball alive. And that showed.

“We had a better front row defense than they did, but I felt like they outcommunicated and outhustled us in certain areas. Our service errors got us. We gave them a lot of points with our errors.”

The Eagles lost in the opening round of the South Super Regional for the second consecutive year after missing out on the postseason the previous three years.

 Hogan said a tougher schedule this season was supposed to prepare the Eagles, “just to get the mentality of what it looks like to play at a faster pace. Those teams were like practice (for the postseason) because sometimes when you’re just playing against each other, you need to be against other teams that are going to push you.

“So I was really hoping we were going to pull it off today. We took the first set, stayed close. There were multiple times when we had the lead and it was just executing on keeping the lead. And that’s a mentality thing we’re working through, especially with the younger girls.” 

Alabama Christian will lose six seniors -- Ava Oates, Elizabeth Belcher, Annabelle Pugh, Anna Prempramot, Savannah Dorman and Marcy Gregory -- but Hogan believes her younger players are eager and hungry to change the culture in the Eagles’ volleyball program.

“That’s a lot of seniors, but I think only one of them is playing year-round (in club volleyball),” Hogan said. “My younger group, they are playing year-round so the culture and the program at ACA is coming and it’s hoping to build that mindset.”

St. James falls to perennial champs

You just don’t line up and beat defending 6A state champion Bayside Academy -- which has won a state title at some level for the past 21 seasons -- and the state’s winningest coach with your standard head-to-head matchup.

At least that was the belief of St. James coach Karen Lee, whose team had the dubious distinction of drawing the Admirals as their first-round opponent in the South Super Regional at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl on Wednesday.

So Lee sat down the Trojans and drew up a game plan that would ditch all the normal tendencies and give the Admirals a totally different look on Wednesday.

“We did a couple of different things in serve-receive that I know no team has seen us do this season,” Lee said. “The girls and I went to the drawing board and had nothing one day at practice but film. And they executed it really well. We caught them off guard.”

In a second set that might have been the best played set in the building on Wednesday, St. James had the upper hand until a late surge by the Admirals tied the game at 22-22, then scored the last three points to win 25-22. Bayside, which had won the first set 25-13, went on to win the third set 25-8 and finish the Trojans’ season at 29-12.

“We had a different game plan with some different ideas going into this game,” Lee said. “Because we knew we were going to need to show something different at this point to a team that’s so disciplined and with a great coach. We had some different approaches and it worked, especially in the first couple of sets.

“We kind of got in a hole in the third set and couldn’t dig our way out of it. That happens a lot of time with volleyball. When the momentum swings, it’s hard to get it back. But I really think we played as hard as we could have.”

The 2017 Class 4A state champions have been the poster child for Competitive Balance Factor, getting elevated under the new rule to 5A in 2018 and 2019 despite the school dropping in enrollment to 3A. After reaching the 5A finals in 2018 and the 5A quarterfinals in 2019, the Trojans were elevated to 6A in 2020 but struggled to compete in the postseason at that level, losing in the first round on three occasions.

Finally, after losing to Pelham in the super regional first round in 2022 and to Bayside Academy in 2023, the Trojans will drop to Class 5A in 2024 and 2025. But as Lee pointed out, it might not be a blessing after all.

“There’s going to be a lot of tough competition going up to 5A with Trinity and Catholic,” she pointed out. “We’re going to get back to the old volleyball (area) of us and Catholic and Trinity.”

Both Catholic and Trinity, who played each other for the 4A state title in 2022, need only a first-round super regional victory on Thursday to elevate to 5A under Competitive Balance Factor.

But the Trojans will play both Capital City Conference rivals regardless of whether they’re in the same area or not and they’ll have to do it next season without senior Ava Card, one of the state’s top players.

“That’s a big hole,” Lee acknowledged. “She’s such a phenomenal player. She sparks our offense with kills that are sometimes untouchable. She can make defensive plays that, being such a tall player, she plays all the way around at every position and she’s so good.

 “We’re going to be putting out want ads for somebody to come in and fill her shoes.”

Pike Road’s season ended by Spanish Fort

Close was no comfort for Pike Road volleyball coach Joi Washington.

She had helped build a program the last four years at the school, getting into the South Super Regional for the first time as a 5A program in 2020, reaching the state semifinals the following year before losing to perennial favorite Bayside Academy, then making the second round of the 6A super regional last year before losing to Northridge. 

Armed with seniors that had been there from Washington’s first season, the Patriots were ready for a run in the 6A postseason with setter Rylie Fureigh, middle hitter Marley Gorman and outside hitters Allie Lovrich, Taylor Robinson and Emma Davis, part of a talented group of nine seniors.

In a cruel twist of fate, Pike Road tied the school record for wins (33) in winning the area championship, but drew Spanish Fort in the first round of the super regional. The Toros (59-8) have played for the 6A state championship five times in the last eight years, winning three titles.

 Washington and her Patriots were unfazed, losing the first set 25-5 but battling back to win the second, 25-23, before falling 25-16 and 25-20 to end their season at 33-6 on Wednesday in the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.

“I felt coming in that we were prepared,” she said. “The last three or four weeks, the girls have given me everything they could, so I felt like if we could find a way to battle and keep ourselves in the game, we would have a chance.

“And we started the fourth set, the first one we started out ahead. I felt good about it. The girls have given me everything they have all year, but Spanish Fort is what Spanish Fort is. But I’m proud of our season. One match ended our season, but it doesn’t define it.”

Washington spent a few private moments with each of her nine seniors after the match.

“I can’t say enough about them,” she said. “Walking into the gym for the first time, meeting over half of them, they’ve done everything I’ve asked. New coach, new program, and they’ve really taken me and my son in. They’re my family.”

It’ll be a big void to fill, but Washington pointed out that six juniors return.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to want to play Pike Road for a long time,” she said. 

AHSAA SOUTH SUPER REGIONAL

VOLLEYBALL

Multiplex at Cramton Bowl

CLASS 7A

Game 1 -- McGill-Toolen vs. Dothan, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 2 -- Auburn vs. Baker, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 3 -- St. Paul’s Episcopal vs. Central-Phenix City, Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Game 4 -- Enterprise vs. Fairhope, Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Game 5 -- Semifinals, Friday, 10 a.m.

Game 6 -- Semifinals, Friday, 10 a.m.

Game 7 -- Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.

Game 8 -- Consolation, Friday, 1 p.m.

CLASS 6A

First Round Results

Game 1 -- Calera 3, Brookwood 0

Game 2 -- Saraland 3, Stanhope Elmore 0

Game 3 -- Pelham 3, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 0

Game 4 -- Spanish Fort 3, Pike Road 1

Game 5 -- Bayside Academy 3, St. James 0

Game 6 -- Northridge 3, Briarwood Christian 1

Game 7 -- Wetumpka 3, Murphy 0

Game 8 -- McAdory 3, Chilton County 2

Quarterfinal results

Game 9 -- Saraland 3, Calera 0

Game 10 -- Spanish Fort 3, Pelham 2

Game 11-- Bayside Academy 3, Northridge 0

Game 12 -- McAdory 3, Wetumpka 2

Semifinal Pairings

Game 13 -- Saraland (36-7) vs. Spanish Fort (59-8), Thursday, 2 p.m.

Game 14 -- Bayside Academy (44-8) vs. McAdory (23-16), Thursday, 2 p.m.

Game 15 -- Finals, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

CLASS 5A

First-Round Results

Game 1 -- Beauregard 3, Marbury 0

Game 2 -- Gulf Shores 3, Providence Christian 1

Game 3 -- Sylacauga 3, Demopolis 0

Game 4 -- Brew Tech 3, Citronelle 0

Game 5 -- Faith Academy 3, Greenville 0

Game 6 -- Montgomery Academy 3, Jemison 0

Game 7 -- Rehobeth 3, Elberta 0

Game 8 -- Elmore County 3, Eufaula 0

Quarterfinal Results

Game 9 -- Gulf Shores 3, Beauregard 0

Game 10 -- Sylacauga 3, Brew Tech 2

Game 11-- Montgomery Academy 3, Faith Academy 0

Game 12 -- Rehobeth 3, Elmore County 1

Semifinal Pairings

Game 13 -- Gulf Shores (31-11) vs. Sylacauga (32-18), Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Game 14 -- Montgomery Academy (48-6) vs. Rehobeth (34-11), Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Game 15 -- Finals, Thursday, 5 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Thursday, 5 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Game 1 -- Catholic vs. Hale County, Thursday, 9 a.m.

Game 2 -- Orange Beach vs. Andalusia, Thursday, 9 a.m.

Game 3 -- Munford vs. Bibb County, Thursday, 9 a.m.

Game 4 -- LAMP vs. Jackson, Thursday, 9 a.m.

Game 5 -- T.R. Miller vs. Dallas County, Thursday, 9 a.m.

Game 6 -- Montevallo vs. Talladega, Thursday, 9 a.m.

Game 7 -- Geneva vs. UMS-Wright, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 8 -- Sipsey Valley vs. Trinity, Thursday 10:15 a.m.

Game 9 -- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 2 p.m.

Game 10 -- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 2 p.m.

Game 11-- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 12 -- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 13 -- Semifinals, Friday, 10 a.m.

Game 14 -- Semifinals, Friday, 10 a.m.

Game 15 -- Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Friday, 1 p.m.

CLASS 3A

First Round Results

Game 1 -- Tarrant 3, Greensboro 1

Game 2 -- Mobile Christian 3, Opp 0

Game 3 -- Walter Wellborn 3, Alabama Christian 1

Game 4 -- Ashford 3, Thomsaville 0

Game 5 -- Houston Academy 3, Excel 0

Game 6 -- Prattville Christian 3, Randolph County 0

Game 7 -- St. Luke’s 3, Straughn 1

Game 8 -- Indian Springs 3, Sumter Central 0

Quarterfinal Results

Game 9 -- Mobile Christian 3, Tarrant 0

Game 10 -- Walter Wellborn 3, Ashford 1

Game 11-- Prattville Christian 3, Houston Academy 1

Game 12 -- St. Luke’s 3. Indian Springs 0

Semifinal Pairings

Game 13 -- Mobile Christian (40-7) vs. Walter Wellborn (32-9), Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Game 14 -- Prattville Christian (32-18) vs. St. Luke’s (26-21), Thursday, 12:45 p.m.

Game 15 -- Finals, Thursday, 5 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Thursday, 5 p.m.

CLASS 2A

First Round Results

Game 1 -- Pike Liberal Arts 3, Francis Marion 0

Game 2 -- Bayshore Christian 3, J.U. Blacksher 0

Game 3 -- Isabella 3, Lanett 0

Game 4 -- G.W. Long 3, Geneva County 0

Game 5 -- Wicksburg 3, Ariton 1

Game 6 -- Horseshoe Bend 3, Fayetteville 0

Game 7 -- Washington County 3, Chickasaw 0

Game 8 -- Luverne 3, Tuscaloosa Academy 1

Quarterfinal Results

Game 9 -- Bayshore Christian 3, Pike Liberal Arts 0

Game 10 -- G.W. Long 3, Isabella 1

Game 11-- Wicksburg 3, Horseshoe Bend 0

Game 12 -- Washington County 3, Luverne 0

Semifinal Pairings

Game 13 -- Bayshore Christian vs. G.W. Long (27-8), Thursday, 2 p.m.

Game 14 -- Wicksburg (16-12) vs. Washington County (27-7), Thursday, 2 p.m.

Game 15 -- Finals, Thursday, 5 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Thursday, 5 p.m.

CLASS 1A

Game 1 -- Sweet Water vs. Notasulga, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 2 -- Kinston vs. Fruitdale, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 3 -- Faith Christian vs. R.C. Hatch, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 4 -- Calhoun vs. Brantley, Thursday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 5 -- Pleasant Home vs. Central-Hayneville, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 6 -- University Charter School vs. Wadley, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 7 -- Millry vs. Elba, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 8 -- Billingsley vs. Southern Choctaw, Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 9 -- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 10 -- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 11-- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 12 -- Quarterfinals, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 13 -- Semifinals, Friday, 10 a.m.

Game 14 -- Semifinals, Friday, 10 a.m.

Game 15 -- Finals, Friday, 1 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Friday, 1 p.m.