By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
HOOVER – Just 10 days ago, Cherokee County and Alexandria clashed for the Class 4A, Area 12 volleyball title. The Lady Warriors outlasted Alexandria in five sets.
On Friday at the Finley Center in Hoover, the two teams crossed paths again – this time with a North Super Regional championship on the line.
Just like their last meeting, they battled each other through five sets. And, just like their last meeting, the Lady Warriors emerged victorious.
After losing two sets 24-26 and 23-25, the Lady Warriors dug in to take the next three 25-17, 25-19 and 15-9 to win the program’s first regional championship since 2003.
The Lady Warriors (48-9) play South’s fourth qualifier St. Michael Catholic on Wednesday at noon in the Elite 8 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
“I’m extremely proud of the metal toughness and determination our girls showed today,” Cherokee County head coach Tiffany Rieger said. “Coming back from two sets down against a team like Alexandria took incredible resilience, belief, and trust in one another. They refused to back down, and that speaks volumes about their character and competitive spirit.
“Winning our first regional championship since 2003 is a milestone for this program, but more importantly, it gives us tremendous momentum heading into the state tournament. These girls have earned the right to dream big, and we’re excited to keep fighting towards those dreams.”
In Friday’s regional championship match against Alexandria, Ava Haygood collected 20 kills, 10 digs, two assists, and a block. Nevaeh Gaidurgis came away with 14 kills, seven digs, a block, and an assist. Jolie Alexander added 12 kills, three blocks, and three digs. Macy Lea accumulated 42 assists, five kills, four digs, and two blocks.
Ellisan Givens posted 25 digs, five aces, and four assists. Raegan Garmany gained five kills and a block. Mattie Green had three kills, a block, and a dig. Jesslyn Hincy finished with 11 digs and an ace.
Cherokee County reached the regional championship match with a sweep of Madison County, also on Friday. Those scores were 25-12, 25-19, 25-22.
In that match, Haygood delivered 13 kills, seven digs, and a pair of aces. Lea managed 28 assists, five digs, two aces, two kills, and a block. Gaidurgis collected 10 digs, nine kills, two aces, and an assist. Givens gained 17 digs, four aces, and three assists.
Alexander accounted for nine kills, five digs, three aces, and two blocks. Hincy had six digs, two assists, and an ace. Garmany managed four kills, a dig, and a block. Green finished with a pair of blocks and a pair of digs.
