The Class AA Region II Section I volleyball championship started out tight between Bridgeport and Robert C. Byrd, but the Lady Indians – defending Class AA champions – pulled ahead to capture the sectional title.

 

The Tribe took the sectional title Wednesday night at RCB with set scores of 25-20, 25-9, 19-25 and 25-20.

 

“In that first set, we were winning by 5 and we served three balls out and had probably 10 hitting errors and still won,” said Coach Ali Burton. “It took a set to get the nerves out. We have girls who haven’t had the experience on the floor when it’s ‘win or go home.’ Plus, we were playing RCB – our rival – but I think (Wednesday) night they saw that they can do this.”

 

BHS – 32-16-3 - now advances to regional play Saturday at RCB, taking on Section II runner-up Clay County, while the Lady Eagles – 29-14-1 - face Section II winner Nicholas County. Both matches will be played at 2 p.m. Winning teams will advance to states and will play a Region II championship round approximately 30 minutes after the 2 p.m. match is completed.

 

Capturing the sectional victory gave the Lady Indians a taste of postseason victory, fueling their fire even more to defend their state championship.

 

“They absolutely want to go to states. They have that feeling now and know what it’s like,” Burton said. “No one wants to be on the other end of that. Mainly, what we've talked about – especially through the postseason – is taking one match at a time. Whoever is on the other side of the net, we take care of business. I have no doubt we’re fully able to make it to Saturday’s championship game by taking care of one match at a time.”

 

Shea Hefner and Peyton Merica led playing efforts Wednesday.

 

“They are the vocal leaders on the floor and Shea has really stepped up. She’s a coach’s dream when it comes to intensity and fire that she plays with. She’s great for the younger girls and so is Peyton. She has done a good job,” Burton said. “But as they are in that aspect, they are also very hard on themselves and are the first ones to get down on themselves. We can’t afford that as a team. When we make a mistake, we move on to the next point and don’t worry about it.”

 

Though the Tribe has recorded 16 losses this season, Burton said her athletes have gained valuable experience.

 

“Our schedule included Class AAA teams and we lost to a couple top Class AA teams,” she said. “As far as the record shows, we honestly don’t pay attention to that because it doesn’t matter. The AAA games we played were for experience and competition.”

 

What has been an obstacle this season, she said, is injury.

 

“We had a different rotation every week this season,” Burton said.

 

With setter Alicia Betari out, Jayce Lucas has stepped in and is doing a fantastic job.

 

“She’s getting experience and playing with confidence. She has great hands and has been doing a great job,” Burton said.

 

Lucas was instrumental in Wednesday’s victory, as were Julia Griffith, Violet Sickles and Addison Phillips.

 

One win on Saturday will send BHS to the Class AA volleyball tournament in Charleston.  Two wins will earn the Tribe a second consecutive Region II title.

 

“This is the first year that the state volleyball tournament will be seeded,” Burton said. “Usually, it’s a blind draw. So, we’ll see how it plays out.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Wednesday's Sectional championship are by Ben Queen Photography. See more images HERE.