The defending state champion Toros fell just short of back-to-back titles to finish 2016 as the 6A state runner up to Hazel Green.
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hazel Green’s Lady Trojans defeated defending champion Spanish Fort in a hard-fought Class 6A 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 championship match Thursday afternoon to capture the school’s first state volleyball championship since 1994.
The match at the Birmingham CrossPlex Bill Harris Arena finished the HGHS Trojans’ season at 56-10. Brooke Sanford registered 14 kills and 16 digs to earn MVP honors for Hazel Green. Gracie Lynn Butler and Tierra Porter had 12 kills each and Maci Battle had 10. Setter Lauren Lasater dished out 45 assists and 12 digs.
Spanish Fort (58-5), coached by Gretchen Boykin, got strong efforts from Savannah Lee and Carley Hamric. The duo had 14 and 11 kills, respectively. Reilly Vought added 30 assists.
Class 6A All-Tourney Team: Brooke Sanford, Hazel Green (MVP); Maci Battle, Hazel Green; Lauren Lasater, Hazel Green; Tierra Porter, Hazel Green; Gracie Lynn Butler, Hazel Green; Savannah Lee, Spanish Fort; Carley Hamric, Spanish Fort.
In the semifinals, Spanish Fort defeated Hartselle 3-1.
The Toros topped the Tigers (68-12) in four sets 18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-20 advancing to the Class 6A championship match versus Hazel Green.
Hamric and Lee each had 16 kills for the Toros. Lee also had 21 digs, and Vought recorded 37 assists.
Leading Hartselle was Megan Zuck with 19 kills and 32 digs. Hayden Hanserd added 15 kills while setter Gabrielle Bili had 44 assists.
Daphne (37-17) fell to eventual champion Hazel Green (55-10) 3-1, (21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 26-24) in the semifinals. The Trojans advanced with a 3-2 quarterfinal win over Walker (55-12) 2, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 10-25, 16-14.
In Class 7A, Daphne High grad Haven O’Quinn coached her Mountain Brook High Spartans to the AHSAA Class 7A state volleyball championship for the third year in a row. Mountain Brook (44-8) defeated Hoover 3-1 (25-11, 23-25, 25-12, 25-19). The former DHS and Troy University Trojan coached the Spartans to their first state title in 2014. In her second season at MBHS (2013), the Spartans also advanced to the Elite Eight and Final Four.
Visit AHSAA.com for more scores.
