AREA VOLLEYBALL TOURNEYS: Trinity wins grueling match against Catholic; MA, Pike Road win areas

Trinity celebrates hard-fought win over Catholic in the Class 5A Area 6 tourney on Thursday. Both teams advance to the Regional next week. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Intense might be an understatement.

After four sets between Trinity and Catholic failed to settle anything, the two 5A Area 6 rivals went into a 15-point fifth set where neither side could gain an advantage.  

“It was literally point for point,” Catholic coach Jenn Denham said. “That’s fun volleyball. It didn’t come out the way we wanted it to, but that was fun volleyball.”

Trinity won the first set 25-23 and the third set 25-16, lost the second and fourth sets by identical 25-23 scores, then won the fifth set 15-13 to capture the area tournament championship on Trinity’s Captain Jack Court on Thursday.

“It’s great preparation but we’re bound to see them again,” Trinity coach Sarah Dubberley observed. “They’re a very talented program, they’re well coached. We’ll likely see them again (in the regionals) and possibly again after that (in the state tournament). But it’s great preparation for the postseason. I honestly love that it went to the fifth set. Maybe I don’t like it in the moment, but I love for our girls to face that adversity and have to lean into it rather than pull away from being comfortable.”

Trinity (35-10) will face Andalusia (17-8) in the opening round of the regional on Thursday at 8:30 a.m., with the winner facing the UMS-Wright-Sylacauga winner in the second round at 2:45 p.m. The winner of the second-round game earns a berth in the state tournament.

“I don’t think any coach ever feels good (heading into postseason play),” Dubberley said. “I always feel like there’s more preparation we can do. But as a whole, I do believe in the girls and the product that they have. But naturally we’ve got some preparation to do.”

Catholic (26-12) will face Brew Tech (20-17) in the opening round of the regional on Thursday at 9:45 a.m., with the winner facing the Briarwood Christian-Elberta winner in the second round at 2:45 p.m. The winner of the second-round game earns a berth in the state tournament.

“It’s been a really good few weeks for us,” Denham said. “We had a goal when we came in here tonight. We knew we had to get to next week. We accomplished our goal. We would have loved to have come out of here with a win against Trinity but we get to play next week.”

Both teams reached the finals with 3-0 wins in semifinal play. After Marbury defeated Holtville in a first-round game, Trinity swept past the Bulldogs 25-12, 25-9 and 25-10. Catholic, meanwhile, defeated St. James 25-14, 25-17 and 25-21.

After Trinity won the first set against the Knights, the Wildcats led 23-21 in the second set before Catholic scored the last four points to even the match. After Trinity won the third set, Catholic took a 15-9 lead in the fourth set before the Wildcats staged an impressive rally by scoring the next nine points before falling late.

“The biggest thing that run did for us was give us momentum going into the fifth (set),” Dubberley said. “We didn’t end up winning the fourth set, but we were able to gain some composure and momentum leading into the fifth.”

Anna Moore was selected as the tournament’s most valuable player. Making the all-tournament team were Kayla Lawrence of Marbury, KK Corley of St. James, Maria Schwarz and Joi McGuire of Catholic and Holland Williams and Lilly Smith of Trinity.

McGuire had 15 kills, 11 digs and three aces, Zaria Rudolph had 14 kills, nine digs and two aces, Harper Howell had 14 kills and two blocks, Schwarz had 48 assists and two blocks and Grace Levanda had five blocks.

Moore had 32 kills, 22 digs and seven aces, Williams had 22 kills and 16 blocks, Smith had 36 digs and Ellie Causey had 85 assists and 18 digs in the tournament.

Montgomery Academy continues Area Tourney dominance

Montgomery Academy won its 22nd consecutive area tournament title on Thursday with a sweep of Percy Julian and Stanhope Elmore in the 6A Area 4 tournament at Montgomery Academy.

The Eagles made it a perfect 13-for-13 in advancing to the South Super Regional, but it’s their first time as a Class 6A program after being elevated last year by Competitive Balance Factor.

Montgomery Academy (49-3) will face Calera in the opening round of the regional on Wednesday at 9 a.m., with the winner facing the Spanish Fort-Hueytown winner in the second round at 3:30 p.m. The winner of the second-round game earns a berth in the state tournament.

The Eagles defeated Julian 25-3, 25-3 and 25-4 in the semifinals and Stanhope Elmore 25-6, 25-6 and 25-9 in the finals to improve to 19-0 this season against Class 6A programs.

Stanhope Elmore reached the finals by beating Wetumpka 25-18, 25-19 and 25-21.

Stanhope Elmore will face Chilton County in the opening round of the regional on Wednesday at 9 a.m., with the winner facing the McAdory-Gulf Shores winner in the second round at 2 p.m. The winner of the second-round game earns a berth in the state tournament.

Senior setter Addi Vinson and senior outside hitter Elle McBride were chosen as co-most valuable players. Senior outside hitter Caroline McDaniel was selected to the all-tournament team as well.

Vinson had 53 assists, along with 15 aces and seven digs, to increase her career assist total to 4,979. With 21 more assists, she will become one of just six players in Alabama High School Athletic Association history to record 5,000 or more assists.

McBride had 21 kills and six aces, while McDaniel had nine kills and six aces. Morgan Springer had 16 kills and six aces. 

Pike Road sweeps 6A, Area 3 tourney

PIKE ROAD -- Pike Road swept through the 6A Area 3 tournament on Thursday, defeating Russell County 3-0 and Rehobeth 3-0 to win the area tournament.

Pike Road advanced to the finals with a sweep of Russell County, while Rehobeth advanced with a sweep of Park Crossing. Pike Road then defeated Rehobeth 25-15, 25-22 and 25-18.

Pike Road (22-9) will face Brookwood in the opening round of the regional on Wednesday at 10:15 a.m., with the winner facing the Chelsea-Theodore winner in the second round at 3:30 p.m. The winner of the second-round game earns a berth in the state tournament.

Rehobeth (29-16) will face Northridge in the opening round of the regional on Wednesday at 9 a.m., with the winner facing the Saraland-Pelham winner in the second round at 2 p.m. The winner of the second-round game earns a berth in the state tournament.

Pike Road libero Brely Dees was chosen as the tournament’s most valuable player. The senior had 34 digs and four aces in the win. Teammates Kylee Myers and Jada Gresham were selected to the all-tournament team. Gresham, a senior, had 13 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, along with a pair f aces and three blocks. Myers had 11 kills and a .526 hitting percentage, along with four blocks.  

Another noteworthy performance was delivered by senior Tai Rogers, who had nine kills and a .391 hitting percentage.

Joining Dees, Myers and Gresham on the all-tournament team were Rehobeth’s Kryslin Martin and Carolyn Merrill. Martin, an outside hitter, had 27 kills, eight blocks, 14 digs and an ace. Merrill, a middle blocker, had 10 kills, a block, 15 digs and two aces.

AHSAA SOUTH SUPER REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

At Multiplex at Cramton Bowl

CLASS 7A

Game 1 -- Bayside Academy vs. Alma Bryant, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Game 2 -- McGill-Toolen vs. Prattville, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Game 3 -- Enterprise vs. Daphne, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Game 4 -- St. Paul’s vs. Fairhope, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Game 5 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 6 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 7 -- Championship, Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

Game 8 -- Consolation, Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

CLASS 6A

Game 1 -- Saraland vs. Pelham, Wednesday, 9 a.m.

Game 2 -- Northridge vs. Rehobeth, Wednesday, 9 a.m.

Game 3 -- Chilton County vs. Stanhope Elmore, Wednesday, 9 a.m.

Game 4 -- McAdory vs. Gulf Shores, Wednesday, 9 a.m.

Game 5 -- Spanish Fort vs. Hueytown, Wednesday, 9 a.m.

Game 6 -- Montgomery Academy vs. Calera, Wednesday, 9 a.m.

Game 7 -- Pike Road vs. Brookwood, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 8 -- Chelsea vs. Theodore, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 9 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Game 10 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Game 11 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 12 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 13 -- Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, Thursday, 11 a.m.

Game 14 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, Thursday. 11 a.m.

Game 15 -- Championship, Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, Thursday, 4 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Game 1 -- UMS-Wright vs. Sylacauga, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Game 2 -- Trinity vs. Andalusia, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Game 3 -- Demopolis vs. Headland, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Game 4 -- Elmore County vs. Citronelle, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Game 5 -- Faith Academy vs. Beauregard, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Game 6 --Providence Christian vs. Montevallo, Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Game 7 -- Brew Tech vs. Catholic, Thursday, 9:45 a.m.

Game 8 -- Briarwood Christian vs. Elberta, Thursday, 9:45 a.m.

Game 9 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

Game 10 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

Game 11 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

Game 12 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, Thursday, 2:45 p.m.

Game 13 -- Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, Friday, 9:30 a.m.

Game 14 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, Friday. 9:30 a.m.

Game 15 -- Championship, Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, Friday, 12:30 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Game 1 -- St. Michael vs. Cleburne County, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 2 -- American Christian vs. Geneva, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 3 -- Prattville Christian vs. Opp, Wednesday. 12:45 p.m.

Game 4 -- Indian Springs vs. W.S. Neal, Wednesday. 12:45 p.m.

Game 5 -- Jackson vs. Pleasant Grove, Wednesday. 12:45 p.m.

Game 6 --Straughn vs. LAMP, Wednesday. 12:45 p.m.

Game 7 -- Ashford vs. West Blocton, Wednesday. 12:45 p.m.

Game 8 -- Munford vs. Orange Beach, Wednesday. 12:45 p.m.

Game 9 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Wednesday, 5 p.m.

Game 10 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Wednesday, 5 p.m.

Game 11 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 12 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 13 -- Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

Game 14 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, Thursday. 1:30 p.m.

Game 15 -- Championship, Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

CLASS 3A

Game 1 -- Mobile Christian vs. B.B. Comer, Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

Game 2 -- Glenwood School vs. Northside Methodist, Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

Game 3 -- Alabama Christian vs. Southside-Selma, Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

Game 4 -- Hale County vs. Flomaton, Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

Game 5 -- T.R. Miller vs. Greensboro, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

Game 6 --Thomasville vs. Thorsby, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

Game 7 -- Houston Academy vs. Lee-Scott Academy, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

Game 8 -- Altamont vs. St. Luke’s, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.

Game 9 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

Game 10 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

Game 11 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 12 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Game 13 -- Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, Friday, 11 a.m.

Game 14 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, Friday. 11 a.m.

Game 15 -- Championship, Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, Friday, 1 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, Friday, 1 p.m.

CLASS 2A

Game 1 -- Bayshore Christian vs. Reeltown, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 2 -- Tuscaloosa Academy vs. Luverne, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 3 -- Highland Home vs. Ariton, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 4 -- Horseshoe Bend vs. Geneva County, Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.

Game 5 -- Samson vs. Ranburne, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 6 --G.W. Long vs. Calhoun, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 7 -- Pike Liberal Arts vs. Isabella, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 8 -- Lanett vs. Washington County, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Game 9 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 10 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 11 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 12 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.

Game 13 -- Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

Game 14 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, Thursday. 12:15 p.m.

Game 15 -- Championship, Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, Thursday, 5:15 p.m.

CLASS 1A

Game 1 -- Millry vs. Winterboro, Thursday, 9:45 a.m.

Game 2 -- Autauga Academy vs. Pleasant Home, Thursday, 9:45 a.m.

Game 3 -- University Charter School vs. Choctaw County, Thursday, 9:45 a.m.

Game 4 -- Billingsley vs. Elba, Thursday, 9:45 a.m.

Game 5 -- Brantley vs. Maplesville, Thursday, 11 a.m.

Game 6 --Sweet Water vs. R.C. Hatch, Thursday, 11 a.m.

Game 7 -- Kinston vs. Verbena, Thursday, 11 a.m.

Game 8 -- Fayetteville vs. Leroy, Thursday, 11 a.m.

Game 9 -- Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 10 -- Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 11 -- Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 12 -- Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, Thursday, 4 p.m.

Game 13 -- Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, Friday, 9:30 a.m.

Game 14 -- Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, Friday. 9:30 a.m.

Game 15 -- Championship, Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14, Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Game 16 -- Consolation, Loser Game 13 vs. Loser Game 14, Friday, 12:30 p.m.

AHSAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS

CLASS 7A AREA 4

At Enterprise

Wednesday

Carver 3, JAG 2

Enterprise 3, Carver 0

Prattville 3, Dothan 2

Championship, Enterprise 3, Prattville 0

CLASS 6A AREA 3

At Pike Road

Thursday

Pike Road 3, Russell County 0

Rehobeth 3, Park Crossing 0

Championship, Pike Road 3, Rehobeth 0

CLASS 6A AREA 4

At Montgomery Academy

Thursday

Montgomery Academy 3, Julian 0

Stanhope Elmore 3, Wetumpka 0

Championship, Montgomery Academy 3, Stanhope Elmore 0

CLASS 5A AREA 3

At Brewbaker Tech

Wednesday

Brew Tech 3, Greenville 0

Andalusia 3, Charles Henderson 0

Championship, Brew Tech 3, Andalusia 1

CLASS 5A AREA 6

Thursday

Marbury 3, Holtville 0

Trinity 3, Marbury 0

Catholic 3, St. James 0

Championship, Trinity 3, Catholic 2

CLASS 5A AREA 7

At Beauregard

Wednesday

Elmore County 3, Valley 0

Championship, Elmore County 3, Beauregard 0

CLASS 4A AREA 5

At Prattville Christian

Thursday

Prattville Christian 3, Booker T. Washington 0

LAMP 3, Tallassee 0

Championship, Prattville Christian 3, LAMP 0

CLASS 3A AREA 5

At Alabama Christian

Thursday

Thorsby 3, Dallas County 0

Championship, Alabama Christian 3, Thorsby 0

CLASS 1A AREA 6

At Autauga Academy

Wednesday

Autauga Academy 3, Notasulga 0

Verbena 3, Autaugaville 2

Championship, Autauga Academy 3, Verbena 0

CLASS 1A AREA 7

At Billingsley

Wednesday

Billingsley 3, Breakthrough Charter 0

Maplesville 3, Francis Marion 0

Championship, Billingsley 3, Maplesville 0