PELHAM — No. 1 Guntersville swept through the quarterfinals of the Class 4A Elite Eight volleyball tournament, defeating Andalusia 3-0 Wednesday at the Pelham Civic Complex.

The Lady Bulldogs started the first game strong against the Lady Wildcats, leading 4-3 early. Halfway into the first game, Guntersville took over with a 13-10 lead and, later, a 17-13 lead.

“We came out strong in the first game, but it doesn’t take a lot to lose that momentum and things just started to unfold in the second game,” Andalusia coach Angie Grimes said. “That’s the way it is up here.”

Andalusia fell in the first game by just four points.

Guntersville (60-7) used the first game momentum to defeat Andalusia 25-9 in the second game and 25-10 in the third.

Andalusia senior Amber Anderson said after her team’s loss that Guntersville was the better team.

“Guntersville just had good hits, our covering was off and our blocking was off a bit,” Anderson said. “I don’t know what really happened out there.

“I’m proud that we made it to state, but I expected us to go all the way this year,” she said.

Andalusia finished the season with a 25-14 record.

On the season overall, Grimes said her Lady Bulldogs gained valuable “experience” at the state tournament level.

“I never expected to be up here this year, but coming up here was a great experience for these girls,” she said. “I only lose two seniors, which I hate. I think fundamentally, we’re a sound team, but we just have some breakdowns emotionally on the court. We’re going to work on that.”

Andalusia’s Airyesha Jenkins had eight blocks and four kills; Amber Anderson had four kills, three blocks and three digs; Shi’Amber Townsend had three kills, five blocks and two digs; Amy Caroline Riley had 39 assists and two blocks; and Erica Staley had four blocks.