White Station edges Bartlett in sectionals
A tournament newcomer and a tournament veteran will represent Shelby County when the AAA state volleyball tournament gets underway Wednesday in Murfreesboro.
White Station earned its first trip in school history Thursday, defeating host Bartlett 25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 31-29. There was a lot less suspense at the other sectional at Houston, where the Mustangs defeated Dyer County 25-10, 25-14, 25-11 to advance for the ninth time in 10 years.
“I can’t stop shaking right now,” said White Station senior standout Abigail Duncan. “It really hasn’t hit me yet.
“We’re just like the underdog team. We don’t have a lot of players that play club (volleyball), whereas with other teams the majority of the starters do. We won with our raw talent and our fight.”
Said first-year Spartans coach Teresa Thomas: “I can hardly believe it. They’ve just worked so hard all year and I’m so proud.”
With Bartlett looking out of sync early, the fired-up Spartans took the first two sets before the Panthers regrouped to take the third.
The fourth set was epic. White Station led 24-19 before the Panthers rallied to tie at 24. The momentum shifted back and forth before White Station finally prevailed, setting off a wild celebration.
“I think the difference was our serving and passing,” said Thomas. “It all came together today.”
At Houston, the Mustangs used their size advantage to overpower the Choctaws. Coach Becky Pendleton’s team went through a frustrating lull midway through the season but appears to be back on track at the right time.
“We’re OK,” she said. “We have seven seniors and not all seven can play (at the same time). And we moved some people around; we were middle-heavy but only had one outside hitter.
“And we’ve always been known for our defense, but our defense didn’t really come together until the MidTennessee tournament (earlier this month). We’re finally starting to block and dig.”
IN GIRLS SOCCER
St. George’s advanced to the Division 2-A West Regional title game, beating Evangelical Christian School 5-4 on penalties after the two battled through regulation and overtime tied at 2.
Freshman Annie Fogleman converted the winner for St. George’s.
The Gryphons (8-6-4) host University School of Jackson in Tuesday’s title game. ECS (15-3-0) will play St. Mary’s for third.