By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
BIRMINGHAM – Spring Garden senior outside hitter Ace Austin said the Lady Panthers are on a business trip at the Class 1A state volleyball tournament in Birmingham.
And the proof is in the pudding.
Just moments after sweeping Ider 25-9, 25-12, 25-11 in the state semifinals on Wednesday at the Birmingham CrossPlex, Austin and her teammates hurriedly packed up and headed across the arena to watch the other state semifinal match between University Charter and Addison.
University Charter swept Addison in three sets, setting up a state championship rematch from last year. The Lady Panthers swept that match last year 25-12, 26-24, 25-12 to win their first state volleyball title since 2007.
“As a coach, I absolutely love it, that they’re that dialed in all together,” Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin said of his team’s focus. “They’re sitting there trying to scope out the competition. Maybe they’ve been around me a little bit. Maybe I’m rubbing off on them a little bit.”
Like father, like daughter.
“We weren’t too high about that (Ider) win,” Ace Austin said. “We’re on a business trip. We know it’s going to be a dogfight (with University Charter). It’s kind of been an up-and-down year for us, but I think since the area tournament we’ve gone up.”
‘Gone up’ might be understating things a bit.
Since postseason began with the Class 1A Area 12 tournament, the Lady Panthers (38-11) have swept their way through all their playoff matches, including their Elite 8 opener on Wednesday against Millry 25-4, 25-10, 25-4.
Ider has been swept by the Lady Panthers twice during their perfect playoff run. Spring Garden defeated the Lady Hornets last week at the North Super Regional in Hoover 25-9, 25-15 and 25-12.
“That’s difficult to do,” Coach Austin said. “That’s why we try to play above our head all year long, so that when you get to your level, you’re still above the level.”
Added Ace: “It is tough to do, and we have respect for them (Ider). They’re a Final Four team. There’s tons of other teams that are at home that want to be here, but I think with us, we’ve all had it locked in our brains (to make the state championship match again).
“I think we were made for this moment. There’s six seniors out there for us. It just brings a little something else out of us. We know there’s one more game left in a Spring Garden volleyball uniform. That’s going to bring a little more energy. We’re just excited for this moment.”
Against Ider on Wednesday, Ace Austin led the Lady Panthers with 21 kills, 10 digs, three aces and a block. Fellow senior outside hitter Maggie Jarrett added seven kills and seven digs. Senior middle hitter Olivia Law contributed six kills and five digs. Senior setter Avery Steward collected 34 assists, two digs and an ace. Senior libero Kristen Lewis finished with 12 digs and two aces.
In the 25-4, 25-10, 25-4 win over Millry, Ace Austin posted 21 kills and six digs. Steward added 31 assists, two digs and a kill. Jarrett delivered six aces, five digs, five kills and two blocks. Law collected four kills, four digs, two aces, an assist and a block. Lewis posted eight digs and an ace.
Chloe Fennell and Montana Highfield had three kills and two kills respectively. Hollis Jane Petty earned three aces and a dig. Lacie Jo McMurray managed a pair of digs.
Thursday’s 1A championship rematch with University Charter is at noon at Bill Harris Arena.
“We’re going to go out there and give it all we’ve got,” Ace Austin said. “One more game, why not give it all you’ve got? I’m just excited to see where this takes us and hope we can go back-to-back.”
