SPANISH FORT – After about 12 hours of volleyball, the Gulf Shores Lady Dolphins handed GSHS coach Wing Brett his 400th career victory, and very nearly the Battle at Spanish Fort tournament title.

The 'Phins came up just two points and a close call short in the championship falling to Oak Mountain 25-22, 23-25, 14-16. Call it coincidence, irony or what-goes-around-comes-around, but No. 400 came in a win over Fairhope where Brett got his first varsity win.

"It's nice. It is a milestone," he said. "I wish it had happened at home. It really makes me think back to earlier years. Starting out as a varsity coach you don't think about numbers like 400 or 500. You just work and try to win the next one."

Brett said going deep in the tournament also adds some confidence and momentum going into the second half of the season. "This put us at a higher level. Doing a better job playing defense and mixing things up more on offense. We had some big wins today. I see more maturity out there (on the court). We have players who have grown into their roles and now are expanding and getting better."

Allison Taylor and Virginia Jones were named to the All-Tournament team.

For Gulf Shores, Jones had 38 kills, 34 digs and 7 aces, Taylor had 22 kills and 12 blocks, Courtney Carter had 33 kills, Mary Layson Gottfried had 25 kills and 8 blocks, Laura Peavy had 107 assists and Alex Hackworth had 33 digs.

Twenty teams took part in the event, including Bayside

Academy and defending tournament champion Murphy. Host Spanish Fort, Robertsdale and Fairhope also advanced from pool play along with Baker, Cottage Hill and Our Lady Academy of Mississippi to the Gold Bracket elimination round. Baldwin County High advanced to the Silver Bracket quarterfinals.