Straughn, Andalusia clinch spots in Super Regionals
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The Straughn Lady Tigers clinched the 4A, Area 2 championship with sweeps over Headland and Andalusia Tuesday night in Straughn.
With the win, the Lady Tigers claimed the area championship for the second season in a row, and a berth into the South Super Regional.
Straughn came out of the gate and blew past Headland in the first game 25-4.
The Lady Tigers gave up a few more points in the second game, but still walked away with a 25-10 victory.
Straughn jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the second game thanks to kills from Derriunna Gantt and Hannah Lawless. Meredith Rogers also had an ace that helped build the early lead.
Ashley Hughes got two big kills that increased the Lady Tigers’ lead to 24-10, and Lawless capped the game off with kill.
Straughn hammered Headland in the third set, 25-3. Courtney Rogers had four-straight aces towards the end of the game to held guide the Lady Tigers to victory.
In Andalusia’s first match, they swept Ashford 3-0.
The Lady Bulldogs won the first game 25-19 on the strong plays for Haley Harper, Rachel Dayton and Tori English.
In the second game, the Lady Bulldogs turned it on and stomped the Lady Hornets 25-11. Caroline Andrews had several strong shots to guide the Lady Bulldogs.
Game three went back-and-forth before the Lady Bulldogs finally emerged to a 25-19 win.
The win put Andalusia in the area championship game with Straughn.
Andalusia jumped out front 4-1 on three big kills from English. The game stayed close for a bit, but the Lady Tigers closed out the game on 15-0 run to defeat the Lady Bulldogs 25-13.
Andalusia took the lead again to start game two, but once again the Lady Tigers marched back out front. Hughes, Lawless and Sarah Langford lead the way for the Lady Tigers in a 25-12 victory.
English had a couple of big kills for the Lady Bulldogs, and Millie Manring added an ace during game two.
Straughn jumped out front in game three, and held off the Lady Bulldogs for a 25-15 victory in the championship game.
“We played like the aggressor tonight,” Straughn head coach Daniel Rodgers said. “That was as well as we have played in a while.”
Straughn will be back in action in the first round of the South Super Regional in Montgomery at 6:45 p.m., Friday. Andalusia will play at 4:15 p.m., Friday.