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Unfinished Business: Determined Lady Indian Volleyball Team Starts State Tourney Play Friday

By Julie Perine on November 08, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

This time tomorrow, the Bridgeport High School Volleyball Team will be on the court at the state tournament in Charleston. The Tribe's first match is against Nitro. A win will put BHS in the Class AA semifinals, facing the winner of the Oak Glen and Independence match.
 
In the event the Lady Indians take that victory, they will advance to finals Saturday against whichever team in the other bracket stays alive: Winfield, Nicholas County, Shady Spring or Philip Barbour. 
 
This is the Lady Indians' fourth consecutive trip to states and Coach Ali Burton said she, her assistant coach Grant Burton and their athletes are excited about another opportunity to bring home a state championship.
 
"We're looking forward to the weekend with these girls and the senior leadership we have," she said. "We are extremely proud of their acomplishments so far, but hey aren't finished. They feel like they have unfinished business to take care of - and as long as we play the way we are capable of - good things are going to happen." 
At the 2017 state tournament, the Lady Indians won their first match in three straight sets over Shady Springs, advancing to the semifinals, but losing to Philip Barbour. The Lady Colts went on to claim the Class AA championship.
 
The Tribe's record this year is 38, 5 and 5. During regular season, the team was led by senior Kristen Crowder and sisters Payton and Shea Hefner, senior and sophomore, respectively. The Tribe also includes seniors Katelyn Stanley, Juliet Hart and Sami Wilson and juniors Payton Merica, Alicia Batarie and Ashley Spring, sophomores Julia Griffith and Emma Romano and freshman Violet Sickles. 
 
"They are one of the hardestworking groups we have ever coached," Burton said. "They are hungry for another shot at a championship. They weren't satisfied with runner-up two years ago, so their little team motto this year is 'ALL IN.' Their goal is to go out and play for each other and leave it all on the court." 
 
Bridgeport High School Volleyball claimed the Region II, Class AA championship Saturday at Roane County High School. In their first match against Clay County, the Lady Indians won 3-0, with set scores of 25-14, 25-15 and 25-10.
 
The Tribe went on to face Nicholas County in the regional championship, again winning in three straight sets - 25-17, 25-20 and 25-13.
 
Shea Hefner suffered a concussion during sectionals, but has recovered and will be in tomorrow's lineup. In fact, Burton said her entire roster is healthy for states. Friday's first match against Nitro begins at 8:30 a.m. 
 
Editor's Note: Photos of the Lady Indians at regionals are by Joey Signorelli of Ben Queen Photography.
 
 



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