COUNTY CHAMPIONS

SARDIS CITY — Southside eased its way to the 2018 Etowah County volleyball tournament championship Saturday at Sardis High School.

The Panthers have won the past four county titles under coach Courtney Brothers.

Southside, which was the No. 2 seed, swept all three of its matches. The first came against West End while the final two were against top-seeded Glencoe.

In the county finals rematch from last year, Southside won the first set 25-21. The Panthers were in control for majority of the set, but the Yellow Jackets made a late push before Southside held them off.

Glencoe came out strong and grabbed an early lead in the second set. Southside came back to tie it at 13 then finished strong to take claim the tournament title with a 25-14 win to complete the sweep.

Path to the Finals

Glencoe finished 2-2 on the day with its two losses coming against the Panthers. The Yellow Jackets defeated Hokes Bluff and ousted Sardis in two sets in the loser’s bracket to advance to the finals.

They Said It

“It’s definitely going to build our confidence. We have struggled a bit in the past, but that’s all behind us. We are just going to keep going in the future. This tournament helps us all.” — Southside’s Lauren Hunt, tournament MVP

Coachspeak

“A lot of the girls know each other so they get excited playing each other. It’s just a big rivalry, especially with Glencoe and Hokes Bluff. It’s just a big tournament to prove that we can play with anybody.” — Brothers

“Playing not just bigger schools, but people you match up well against. People that have two or three good hitters that you have to make adjustments to make different blocks against. Or figuring out how to get a touch on the ball to slow it down. It makes the kids think on their own on the court in time and not have to hear it from me. I don’t have to tell them every step to make. They are coaching each other and trying to figure out how to play differently. … That’s where you know they understand volleyball. That’s what’s fun to watch.” — Glencoe coach Jamie Barkley on how playing Southside helps the Jackets in area play

Southside Stat Sheet

Macie Williams had 21 kills and eight blocks. Alexis Thompson tallied 13 kills and 11 digs. Lily Anderson added 11 digs. Hunt totaled 56 assists.

Glencoe Stat Sheet

Aubrey Gray had 22 kills and five blocks. Evan Burns totaled 18 kills, five digs and four blocks. Lauren Cole added 19 kills, 10 digs, 19 assists and 14 blocks. Kaylee Knight had 11 kills and 11 blocks. Lexi Gray finished with seven kills and four blocks. Hannah Baker totaled 21 assists. Adriana Bethel tallied 27 digs.

All-Tournament Team

Southside’s Hunt (MVP), Thompson and Hailey Hendon; Glencoe’s Burns and Cole; Sardis’ Madison Langley and Adelyn Ellis; West End’s Jayleigh Kirby; Hokes Bluff’s Bethany Noah.

Up Next

The Panthers (25-8) and Yellow Jackets (24-14) won’t have to wait long to play each other again as they meet Tuesday at Southside in a tri-match with Etowah.