STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY: Addison advances to 8th straight title tilt, eager for revenge vs. Decatur Heritage
Published 10:06 pm Wednesday, October 26, 2016
- Addison's Savannah Manley, middle, and Natalie Jefferson (3) celebrate after blocking an Isabella shot in Wednesday's Class 1A state semifinal.
BIRMINGHAM — Addison brought the brooms to the Class 1A state volleyball tournament on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Bulldogs are hoping to deliver a healthy dose of revenge.
Sweeps of Pleasant Home (25-15, 25-8, 25-6) and No. 8 Isabella (25-19, 25-19, 25-10) sent the Blue and Gold swiftly on their way to an eighth straight state final. Waiting for top-ranked Addison in the championship match is No. 2 Decatur Heritage, which bounced Kinston and No. 3 Donoho to earn its berth.
The Eagles also knocked off Addison in last Friday’s North Super Regional title tilt — in straight sets, no less — leaving libero Maison Evans and the Lady Dawgs hungrier than ever to return the favor.
“I wanted the chance to give them a good payback,” Evans said. “It’s finally time that we put the smackdown, step up, do what we’re supposed to do.”
Thursday’s 1A final is slated for 8 p.m. at Bill Harris Arena. Addison (42-19), which is seeking its fourth straight state championship and ninth since 2003, topped Decatur Heritage (45-10) in the season’s first two meetings before last week’s surprising sweep.
“I think they’re going to be excited, just because they have a chance to get revenge, to redeem themselves really,” said Blue and Gold coach Kayla Woodard. “We know what we have to do. It’s just executing the gameplan and sticking to it.”
Abbie Chambless was beastly as ever in both Wednesday matches, combining for 32 kills, 17 blocks and 18 digs. Allie Chambless brought her A-game in the semis, compiling 10 kills and six blocks.
Evans was good for four aces and 18 digs in the nightcap. No dig was bigger than her last. She never thought twice about leaving her feet to extend the game-winning rally, allowing Savannah Manley to finish off the match shortly thereafter.
“All out,” Evans said. “Every single point.”
McKenzie Berry kicked in eight kills in each contest to go with nine total blocks. Savannah Manley unleashed 10 kills on the day and stood tall for 16 blocks, including 12 in the semis.
Cecilee Gaither gathered 24 assists and five aces against Pleasant Home, while Kendra Tyree served up three aces.
Pleasant Home’s roster featured a 6-4 middle hitter in River Baldwin, but Gaither’s long serving stretches often kept her in the back row.
