PELHAM, Ala. – The Phighting 'Phins of Gulf Shores made a good run at the eventual state champion St. Paul's Saints in the semifinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament at Pelham last week.

Gulf Shores scored a win in the second game of the best-of-five set and kept it close to the end, but came up short in their bid to advance to the finals. St. Paul's 25-17, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22 semifinal win over the No. 4 Lady Dolphins sent the Saints to the title match where they crushed Briarwood in three.

Playing in the most competitive region in the state, then drawing one of the perennial state champs in the next round made it even more challenging to advance.

"We play in the toughest region in the state, " said GSHS coach Wing Brett. "When you have to play where the last five straight state champions are coming out of your region (Faith 1, St. Paul's 4 5A titles) it makes it tough. But it also makes you better. It's difficult and tough on the kids. But the kids sure played hard. Laura Peavy did a great job in this tournament. Virginia (Jones) also just played very well. They all played hard and I'm extremely proud."

Jones, a junior, was named to the 5A All Tournament Team along with members of St. Paul's, Faith and Briarwood. Katherine White of St. Paul's was the MVP. Gulf Shores had defeated St. Paul's in the regular season, but fell to them in the regional tournament.

"They just made a few more plays than we did and when you look at the scores, every thing's close all the way through," Brett said adding that the future looks bright for GSHS in spite of seven seniors graduating. Courtney Carter, Mary Layson Gottfried, Kimberly Glanding, Alex Hackworth, Caroline Howard, Peavy and Allison Taylor leave a younger group to be led by Jones and Skylar Stuckey, the only juniors. Three sophomores Jessica Chavez, Erin McKee and Alyson Tait made the elite-eight trip along with freshmen Ashton Boone, Amanda Brett and Maddie McCallister all eager to get back.

"We will be OK. We'll be fine, " Brett said. "Every year you get new kids, new energy. The younger ones will want to be back. That's why we brought a lot of younger kids. To give them the experience."

Gulf Shores won the opening round over (50-19) Boaz 25-23, 25-12, 25-22 to advance to the semis.

Against the Saints, Jones had 10 digs and 10 kills for the Dolphins who finished 35-19. Peavy had 27 assists at setter and several tip kills, Courtney Carter had 10 kills, Mary Layson Gottfried had seven kills and five digs, and Alex Hackworth had 21 digs.

Against the Pirates in round one, Carter had 15 blocks and Jones had 14 kills with eight digs, Peavy added 34 assists and Hackworth had 13 digs for the Dolphins.