The Straughn Tigers fought hard, but fell 3-0 to Carbon Hill in the opening round of the state volleyball tournament in Birmingham on Wednesday.

CARBON HILL 25, STRAUGHN 18
The first set of the evening went back-and-forth before the Carbon Hill Lady Bulldogs came away with a 25-18 win.
Ashley Hughes had a big kill off an assist from Hannah Lawless that helped the Lady Tigers chip into the lead.
Carbon Hill continued to attack, but strong kills from Lawless trimmed the Lady Bulldogs’ lead down to 19-16.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the set strong to knock off the Lady Tigers 25-18.

CARBON HILL 25, STRAUGHN 10
In the second set, Straughn held a brief lead, but Carbon Hill came back for a 25-10 win.
Lawless got an early kill that put Straughn on top 3-2, but a the Lady Bulldogs responded with a slew of aces to go up 10-4.
Hughes picked up three more kills in the set, but the Lady Tigers were unable to overcome the Carbon Hill lead.

CARBON HILL 25, STRAUGHN 21
The Lady Tigers fought valiantly in the final game, but Carbon Hill managed strong points at the end to eliminate Straughn with a 25-21 victory.
Hughes had a nice kill to get the Lady Tigers on the board early in the contest.
The lead continued to shift back-and-forth for the early portion of the game.
Lawless added three-straight aces to put the Lady Tigers on top 9-5.
Hughes then gave Straughn a 12-8 lead with a kill, but Carbon Hill came storming back following the point.
The Lady Bulldogs rallied and took a 20-14 lead over Straughn late in the match.
Straughn clawed back into the contest with a kill from Hughes that trimmed the Lady Bulldogs’ lead to 24-21.
The next play Carbon Hill picked up the winning point to eliminate the Lady Tigers from the tournament.
“These girls showed that they could play with one of the best teams in the state,” Straughn head coach Daniel Rodgers said. “We gave them a few points and against a good team like Carbon Hill those are huge. I’m super proud of what this team has accomplished this season. It’s going to be tough to match. I’m also very proud of my two seniors Ashley Hughes and Sarah Langford. Those two girls have been tremendous assists to this team, and they will be missed. Now, we have to find out who is going to bridge that gap next year.”