Lady Rebels Bow Out at State Volleyball to East Hamilton
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
October 17, 2018
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Sullivan South’s run in the TSSAA Class AAA State Volleyball Tournament came to an end Wednesday morning courtesy of a 25-22, 25-13, 21-25, 25-22 defeat at the hands of East Hamilton.
The Lady Hurricanes, who won over the Lady Rebels in a sweep to open the 2017 Class AA Tournament, took the first two sets again before South was able to finally find traction in the match.
The Lady Rebels salvaged the third set, 25-21, and stormed out to a 12-5 advantage in the fourth. Still ahead 16-9, it appeared a fifth and deciding frame would be required.
Instead, the ‘Canes outpointed South 16-6 the rest of the way to take the victory in four.
South’s season that included another perfect run through the Three Rivers Conference, a tenth straight conference title and eighth straight district and regional titles, ends at 32-12.
“This team has been a joy to coach,” said coach Wendy Ratliff. “They have had such great chemistry and they love each other and along with great players, that’s what it takes to get as far as we did in the postseason.”
Abbey Jayne paced the Lady Rebel offense with 16 kills. Maddie Townsend delivered 13 kills.
Freshman setter Olivia Delung dished out 25 assists while sophomore setter Makkenzie Compton added 11 assists and came up with a dozen digs.
Senior libero Meredith St. Clair closed out her career with 28 digs.
East Hamilton (31-4) went on to sweep Camden in the loser’s bracket semi-finals before being swept by Knox Catholic in the losers’ bracket finals.
Portland and Catholic will meet for a second straight year to decide the Class AA state championship. Portland came out of the losers’ bracket a year ago to claim the title.
CLASS AA TOURNAMENT - The Murphy Center
Tuesday, October 16
Game 1 - Upperman def. Chester County, 19-25, 27-25, 25-19, 23-25, 16-14
Game 2 - Portland def. Sullivan South, 25-23, 25-14, 25-13
Game 3 - East Hamilton def. Camden, 9-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20
Game 4 - Knox Catholic def. Jackson South Side, 28-26, 25-12, 25-15
Game 5 - Portland def. Upperman, 25-17, 25-23, 25-8
Game 6 - Knox Catholic def. East Hamilton, 31-29, 25-21, 27-25
Game 7 - Sullivan South def. Chester County, 25-10, 25-17, 27-25
Game 8 - Camden def. Jackson South Side, 21-25, 25-11, 25-14, 25-13
Wednesday, October 17
Game 9 - East Hamilton def. Sullivan South, 25-22, 25-13, 21-25, 25-22 - Sullivan South eliminated
Game 10 - Camden def. Upperman, 25-15, 25-14, 27-29, 25-13 - Upperman eliminated
Game 11 - Portland def. Knox Catholic, 16-25, 25-17, 25-19, 21-25, 15-13
Game 12 - East Hamilton def. Camden, 25-18, 25-10, 25-17 - Camden eliminated
Game 13 - Knox Catholic def. East Hamilton, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17 - East Hamilton eliminated
Thursday, October 18
Championship - Portland (43-7) vs Knox Catholic (26-9), 2:30 p.m.