Top-ranked Lady Spartans edge No. 3 Hoover

Mountain Brook’s girls volleyball team continued its march toward another state championship by beating Hoover 3-2 in a thrilling match worthy of Elite Eight intensity on Sept. 15 at Mountain Brook.

The two schools met in last season’s Class 7A state championship final, with Mountain Brook claiming its first state title in volleyball.

The Lady Spartans (22-1) won the first two games 25-13, 25-22 and then dropped the next two 15-25 and 20-25. They pulled out the fifth game 15-11.

Sara Carr’s 20 kills and 25 digs led Mountain Brook, ranked No. 1 in the state as of press time. Sara Chandler Mitchell had 55 assists, 12 digs and three aces. Lacey Jeffcoat had 26 digs, Ellie Ritter had five blocks and eight kills, Caroline Davies added 13 kills and Emmy Kilgore had 12 kills.

“[It] was a great match for sure,” said Mountain Brook coach Haven O’Quinn. “It was hard fought on both sides. Our leadership stepped up towards the end.”

The third-ranked Lady Bucs (15-2) were fresh off capturing the Rocky Top Classic in Tennessee. Ali Lowe and Caroline Sanford led the team in kills with 16 each, Lowe adding 13 digs and two block assists, Sanford with four digs and five block assists. Libero Olivia Portera commanded the defense with 25 digs and two aces. Setter Jamie Gregg tallied 41 assists, 18 digs, four block assists, a kill and an ace.

The Lady Spartans seemed primed for the stretch run as area play began.

Area tournaments are Oct. 19 (Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 7A) and Oct. 20 (Classes 4A, 5A, 6A). The regional tournaments are set for Oct. 22-24. The state tournament will be at the Birmingham CrossPlex Oct. 28-29.