Staff Reports

SPRING GARDEN – The Spring Garden Lady Panthers took the next step in defending their Class 1A state volleyball title on Thursday evening. They swept their way to the Area 12 title, defeating Woodland 25-3, 25-6, 25-4, and then Faith Christian in the championship match 25-18, 25-10, 25-23.

Against Woodland, Ace Austin delivered 13 kills, a dig and an ace. Avery Steward added 27 assists and three aces. Maggie Jarrett posted six kills and a dig. Olivia Law managed five kills and five aces. Kristen Lewis contributed four aces and two digs.

Montana Highfield had four kills, two aces and a dig. Lleyton Carroll came away with four aces. Belle Bussler earned a pair of aces. Lacie Jo McMurray posted two digs. Aubrey Kelley came away with two assists. Chloe Fennell had a kill and Hollis Jane Petty finished with an ace.

In the title match against Faith Christian, Austin accumulated 23 kills, three digs and a block. Steward managed 29 assists, three digs and two aces. Jarrett earned five digs, four kills, two aces and a block.

Law contributed four digs, four blocks and three kills. Lewis posted 10 digs and four aces. Highfield collected two aces, a dig and an assist. Fennell finished with two digs and a kill.

Spring Garden will take on Area 13 runner-up Brilliant next Thursday at 11 a.m. in the North Super Regional at the Finley Center in Hoover.