BIRMINGHAM – The Sand Rock Lady Wildcats advanced to the Class 2A Volleyball Final Four Tuesday morning with a four-set win over South Super Regional runner-up G.W. Long. The Lady Wildcats lost the first set 21-25, but then rallied to take the next three 25-21, 25-20, 25-22.
Sand Rock (49-9) advances to face North Super Regional champion Addison in the 2A state semifinals Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Birmingham Crossplex. Addison (46-6) swept Washington County in its Elite 8 match earlier on Tuesday.
In the win over G.W. Long, senior middle hitter Lanie Henderson led the Lady Wildcats with 20 kills, 10 digs and six blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Katelyn St. Clair contributed 16 kills and nine digs. Junior outside hitter Jadyn Foster collected 10 kills, 12 digs and a pair of blocks. Senior setter McKenna Ballenger posted 50 assists, 19 digs and two aces. Senior libero Caley Garrett finished with 39 digs.
Junior outside hitter Emma Claire Long led the Lady Rebels (35-8) with 20 kills, 13 digs, three assists, two aces and two blocks. Senior outside hitter/right side Breana Henning had 18 digs, 17 kills, three aces, two assists and a block. Senior setter Makenna Long managed 56 assists, seven digs, four kills, two aces and a block. Senior libero Emmaline Hughes had 23 digs, five assists and two aces.