Volleyball
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Girls sports three coast teams have state titles in its sights
The Coast is shooting for three state titles today when the finals of the MHSAA Volleyball Championships are held at Mississippi College in Clinton.
Two of the three finals are rematches of a year ago.
At 11 a.m., Our Lady Academy (28-10) shoots for its fifth straight state title when it meets Lewisburg in the Class I finals. OLA advanced to the finals with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-21 win over Bay High on Thursday night.
At 1 p.m., Hancock (29-6) squares off with Tupelo for the Class III state championship. Tupelo defeated Hancock in five sets last year in the finals. Hancock is in quest of its first state championship in volleyball. Tupelo has won three state titles.
Hancock defeated Oak Grove 25-9, 25-20, 25-14 in Thursday’s semifinals.
At 3 p.m., Long Beach (29-6) meets Lake Cormorant for the Class II state championship. Lake Cormorant defeated Long Beach a year ago in the finals. Long Beach, like Hancock, is in quest of its first state title in volleyball.
“We lost six seniors off last year’s team,’’ Long Beach coach Courtney Pollock said. “I didn’t know what to expect. This team has clicked and has not looked back.’’
Long Beach defeated Vancleave 29-27, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20 in Thursday’s semifinals. Breann Hedin registered 21 kills and 14 blocks. Tori Clark had 18 kills, Alli McCaleb 13 service points and Julianna Fisher 26 assists.
“The girls stepped up and dug deep,’’ Pollock said. “We didn’t play our best volleyball. We grinded it out. We were down 1-8 in the second game. I know we lost that game but we came back and a made a game of it. The girls played their hearts out.’’
Hancock coach David Irwin likes his team’s chances today.
“We’re ecstatic to be here,’’ Irwin said. “Our goal is to bring it home.’’
Brittany Nutting, Victoria Nutting, Danielle Ladner, Destiny Marks and Bailey Hoda lead the Hancock attack.
Callie McNally, Erin Gibson, Renee Hotard, Rachel Hotard, Christy Parnell and Katherine Gargiulo lead the OLA attack.
OLA coach Mike Meyers says his team is carrying on the OLA tradition in volleyball, which has accounted for six state championships (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
“This is a remarkable feat for girls volleyball team at OLA,’’ Meyers said. “The string speaks volumes for the character of the girls.’’
Softball: Five teams will be in action today as the slow-pitch softball tournamnet hits the second round.
In Class 6A, Meridian faces George County and Northwest Rankin plays Harrison Central. In Class 5A, McComb meets Picayune and Brookhaven plays St. Martin. In Class 4A, Northeast Lauderdale faces Poplarville. The North/South State finals are on Tuesday.
Two of the three finals are rematches of a year ago.
At 11 a.m., Our Lady Academy (28-10) shoots for its fifth straight state title when it meets Lewisburg in the Class I finals. OLA advanced to the finals with a 25-15, 26-24, 25-21 win over Bay High on Thursday night.
At 1 p.m., Hancock (29-6) squares off with Tupelo for the Class III state championship. Tupelo defeated Hancock in five sets last year in the finals. Hancock is in quest of its first state championship in volleyball. Tupelo has won three state titles.
Hancock defeated Oak Grove 25-9, 25-20, 25-14 in Thursday’s semifinals.
At 3 p.m., Long Beach (29-6) meets Lake Cormorant for the Class II state championship. Lake Cormorant defeated Long Beach a year ago in the finals. Long Beach, like Hancock, is in quest of its first state title in volleyball.
“We lost six seniors off last year’s team,’’ Long Beach coach Courtney Pollock said. “I didn’t know what to expect. This team has clicked and has not looked back.’’
Long Beach defeated Vancleave 29-27, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20 in Thursday’s semifinals. Breann Hedin registered 21 kills and 14 blocks. Tori Clark had 18 kills, Alli McCaleb 13 service points and Julianna Fisher 26 assists.
“The girls stepped up and dug deep,’’ Pollock said. “We didn’t play our best volleyball. We grinded it out. We were down 1-8 in the second game. I know we lost that game but we came back and a made a game of it. The girls played their hearts out.’’
Hancock coach David Irwin likes his team’s chances today.
“We’re ecstatic to be here,’’ Irwin said. “Our goal is to bring it home.’’
Brittany Nutting, Victoria Nutting, Danielle Ladner, Destiny Marks and Bailey Hoda lead the Hancock attack.
Callie McNally, Erin Gibson, Renee Hotard, Rachel Hotard, Christy Parnell and Katherine Gargiulo lead the OLA attack.
OLA coach Mike Meyers says his team is carrying on the OLA tradition in volleyball, which has accounted for six state championships (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
“This is a remarkable feat for girls volleyball team at OLA,’’ Meyers said. “The string speaks volumes for the character of the girls.’’
Softball: Five teams will be in action today as the slow-pitch softball tournamnet hits the second round.
In Class 6A, Meridian faces George County and Northwest Rankin plays Harrison Central. In Class 5A, McComb meets Picayune and Brookhaven plays St. Martin. In Class 4A, Northeast Lauderdale faces Poplarville. The North/South State finals are on Tuesday.
