FAIRHOPE—The Back to School Bash volleyball tournament at Fairhope High

featured some hard-hitting action Saturday as many teams tuned up for Area

competition which gets under way this week.

Bayside Academy hoisted the Bash trophy after defeating Cottage Hill

Christian Academy in straight sets 25-15, 25-13 in the championship match.

Bayside, ranked No. 1 in 3A and the defending 3A state champions, are

still fine tuning things said coach Ann Schilling.

"It doesn't matter where you are right now at this point," she said. "It's

where you are October the 29th. We just try to get better and not worry

about much else. We are still losing focus on some points, but I think

we're getting better every week, so that's the good news."

The Lady Admirals (11-3) swept to the title with a 25-11, 25-21 semifinal

win over Baker. The 2A Warriors split their semifinal with Robertsdale

21-25, 25-22 and 15-12.

Warriors coach Jennifer Newton, whose team finished as the region runner

up to Bayside in 3A last year is readjusting to life at the 2A level while

besting many bigger schools.

"Right now, we are playing well as a team," she said. "I'm happy with the

way they are working hard and playing against the larger teams. They are

handling that real well."

Virginia Pittman had 45 kills, 16 blocks and 20 digs for Bayside, Gabby

Deshotel 31 kills and 26 blocks, Maggie Niemeyer 18 kills, seven blocks,

eight aces with 36 digs, Jhalen Caffey 10 aces, Sydney Chandler 89 assists

and Victoria Smith 57 digs. For Cottage Hill (8-4), Meredith Parrott led

with 49 kills and 12 blocks, Rachael Howell added 31 kills, 34 digs and

Kirsten Sayers had 112 assists.

Pittman was named tournament MVP while Deshotel, Parrott, Shelia Dailey of

Robertsdale and Delricka Anthony of Baker were named all-tournament.