Collierville volleyball ends 'huge' season with loss in state championship match

MURFREESBORO − Collierville volleyball coach Lindsey Vicknair wasn't devastated after her team's 3-0 loss to Cleveland in the TSSAA Class AAA state volleyball championship match Friday at Siegel High.

Her players weren't either.

Not that the Lady Dragons were happy about losing in the state title match, but the young squad made big strides this season that should carry over into next year.

"I'm thrilled. ... I'm just so proud. I went into this year expecting a rebuilding year, but the girls weren't having that," Vicknair said of the season, in which Collierville finished 36-10 and reached its first state title match since 2004. In fact, the Lady Dragons had advanced to state 13 times without reaching a finals between 2004 and Friday.

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"This is huge," Vicknair said. "This is my sixth year, and we've made it to state every year. That was our goal as a coaching staff. Obviously, the goal is to win state. But the fact that we battled to the championship is a huge step for this program. Obviously you want to go home with the gold (trophy), but I couldn't be more proud of these girls."

Cleveland, which captured its first state title, was dominant, much as it was the entire season and state tournament.

The Lady Blue Raiders (48-5), who never lost a set at state, rode a dominant front line to the championship. Senior Addison Hurst, who was named tourney MVP, had 26 kills in the title match. Her sister, Lauren Hurst, added 19 kills.

"(Addison Hurst) tore us apart," Vicknair said. "They run a very fast offense and they make very, very few errors."

Campbell McKinnon had 14 kills and a block to lead Collierville, which has reached state 15 times since 2003 (including a runner-up finish in 2004). Jenny Holtman had 22 assists and Mary Stubbs 12 digs.