GULF SHORES – The Gulf Shores Lady Dolphins swept Spanish Fort 25-12, 25-19, 25-22 to win the 5A Area 2 tournament championship on Tuesday.

Gulf Shores (35-13) advanced to play Faith Academy at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s in the 5A Region 1 tournament. The Lady Toros (26-20) will play St. Paul’s in the same regional on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Lady Dolphin head coach Wing Brett said his team’s size was an advantage in the win over the Lady Toros.

“I’ve got some big tall kids that make it hard for some teams to play us,” Brett said. “When you have 6’1” against 5’8” there is only so much you can do.”

Spanish Fort coach Barclay Kercher said she was pleased with her team’s effort.

“I was very pleased with the way they did not give up tonight,” Kercher said. “They got down in points but never gave up.”

Virginia Jones had 12 kills to lead Gulf Shores. Mary Layson Gottfried had and Kimberly Glanding had seven kills each, Erin Brett had 27 assists and Emily Brett had 13 digs. Laura Peavy added six aces and 13 digs for the Lady Dolphins.

“They (Spanish Fort) are a good team,” Brett said. “They are always hard to beat. We have a good rivalry with them.”

Gulf Shores has won 10 of its last 11 matches since senior libero Emily Brett returned from a leg injury.

“We are playing well right now,” Brett said. “We are digging very well, and that is big for us.”

Allison Landry had 18 assists for Spanish Fort. Melissa Zuercher had five kills and seven digs, while Alexis Treace had six kills and five digs. Madison Poe added eight digs for the Lady Toros.

Gulf Shores defeated Escambia County 25-9, 25-8, 25-14 to reach the title round. Spanish Fort swept Vigor 25-10, 25-7, 25-5 in the opening round.

Kercher said her team would have to play better to beat a good St. Paul’s team in the regional.

“We need to work on our ball control and we need to improve our serving under pressure,” she said.