SPANISH FORT— The Gulf Shores High Dolphins clinched their 5A Area 2 regular-season title with a 3-1 victory at Spanish Fort Thursday night.

The Toros jumped out to an early lead and held off two rallies and seven tie scores to win game one 28-26. But GSHS went on to win the next three 25-20, 25-22, 25-20.

Dolphins coach Wing Brett said his team expected a battle with the area on the line.

"It's area championship. You know you're going to get somebody playing hard," he said. "They played us tough at the net. They blocked us well and they hit well, especially in game one. Melissa Zuercher was killing us in that first one. But when we're behind, we never put our heads down.

"But I think defensively and passing-wise we may have played as good tonight as we have all year. (Our) libero did a great job, Laura (Peavy, 14 digs) just had an unbelievable night. Offensively, Virginia (17 kills) hit a lot, had a big night. Virginia scores when our middles are working and when they are hitting, the outside gets to make a living."

Other leaders for GS were Mary Layson Gottfried with 13 kills, Allison Taylor with 10, Kimberly Glanding with nine. Erin Brett set for 46 assists. Tabitha Larkan added four assists, two digs and four service points.

Barclay Kercher, SFHS head coach said her team played well but lost some momentum after the marathon win in game one.

"I think we came out real focused on our game plan and played strong," she said. "We did all the little things right. I thought we passed real well and serve-received. Put up some key blocks and most importantly, we weren't afraid to swing and we were very smart. And then you know there was a change in the tide in games two and three. Our passing game failed a little bit and our setter couldn't get a good set off and therefore our hitters couldn't make the adjustment and every free-ball opportunity that we gave Gulf Shores they executed on."

Kercher said Zuercher, a senior, has been a "Poster Volleyball Player" all year for SF.

"Melissa is one player who plays all the way around and when she's on she scores a lot of points at the service line, the net and she plays great back row. She does all the fundamental things well and is a key to our offense and defense."

The Toros were led by Zuercher with 11 kills, 13 digs and five service points; Shelby Crain had eight kills, Allison Landry had 22 assists and 10 digs; Kristen Hall had 18 digs at libero; Shelby Robinson had 10 digs; Madison Poe had nine digs; Katie Godfrey and Taylor Morehouse added three blocks each.

GSHS (24-11, 5-0), ranked No. 6, will host Madison County and the No. 1 ranked 3A Lady Admirals of Bayside Academy Monday at the Tank at 4 p.m.

SFHS (19-14, 4-2), ranked No. 9, will be at Daphne in a tri-match with Cottage Hill Christian Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.