DAPHNE, Alabama — The Bayside Lady Admirals took one step closer to their 11th straight volleyball state championship Thursday night when they won first place in the 3A Area 1 tournament. 

The top two teams in the tournament, Bayside and Cottage Hill, advanced to the next tournament in Montgomery next weekend.

The Lady Admirals left no doubt, sweeping T.R. Miller (25-8, 25-3, 25-14) in the first round and Cottage Hill (25-17, 25-6, 25-15) in the finals. Cottage Hill made the finals by defeating W.S. Neal in three straight sets.

“We played focused and we did some good things," Admirals head coach Ann Schilling said. “When we stay in the system we are really tough to beat. We are doing a great job right now and the kids are really confident.”

The Admirals, led by seniors Virginia Pittman and Gabby Deshotel, started early in the first match and kept the good play going through the duration of the tournament.

“They all played good tonight,” Schilling said. “We are a team and they all played really well."

The Admirals finished with a total of 32 aces in including 13 a piece from Pittman and freshman outside hitter Madison Taylor. Pittman also led the team in kills and blocks with a tournament total of 15 and four. Junior outside hitter Jhalen Caffey and Deshotel also contributed with 12. Junior Morgan Dulaney had a team-high four digs while junior setter Sydney Chandler had 53 assists on the night.

“We have to continue to get better and to stay focused,” Schilling said. "Hopefully we can continue to get better.”