Opp outlasts Straughn for area title; both advance to next round

Published 3:30 pm Friday, October 14, 2022

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Opp avenged two early-season losses to Straughn and swept two matches for the 3A Area 3 Volleyball Tournament championship at SHS Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The Lady Bobcats (11-15) earned a 25-22, 25-17, 25-21 win over New Brockton (8-11) in the second semi-final match and upset the host Lady Tigers (16-14) in the championship, 25-18, 29-27, 25-16.

Straughn reached the area title game with a 3-1 win (25-14, 25-20, 21-25, 25-19) over Pike County (6-10) in the first semi-final match.

It was the fifth area title for Opp in the last six years.

“It feels amazing to win the area, and I’m so glad we were able to come here and not let the past affect them. They knew they had to get it done and did a great job. I’m so proud of my girls. We have always been good about coming up from the back, and that’s exactly what we did. They didn’t let being the three seed get their heads down and pulled out two big wins for the area championship,” said Opp Head Coach Caiden Harrell.

Both teams advance to the South Super Regional at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery next week. Opp will meet Childersburg, while Straughn will face Indian Springs in first round action. Both matches are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m.

“We just need to bring the same momentum and spirit in Montgomery. The girls need to stay hyped up, and they can do it if they put their minds to it. If they play like we played in area, we can go far,” Harrell added.