PELHAM, Ala. – The Daphne Trojans fell in three games to the eventual state runner-up in Class 6A, Oak Mountain, 25-15, 25-10, 25-18 in the opening round of the Elite Eight state tournament in Pelham last week.

Daphne led early and was ahead 14-12 in the first game when an overturned water cooler led to a 40-minute delay in the action.

When it resumed the Trojans went cold.

"We never got the rhythm back," said first-year head coach Edoli Herrion. "We let them dictate the tempo the rest of the way. We battled but, Oak Mountain played very well and ended up runner up to the champion."

The Lady Trojans will make roster and staff room next year as four seniors head off. Senior players Kaylin Lee, Cherilyn Ramsey and Deanna Vogler along with longtime team manager Tiffany Nabors will graduate in the spring. Juniors Kayla Owens, Krista Owens, Barkley Langan and Kelsey Roebuck will move up as will sophomores Katherine Barr, Taylor Barnette, Haley Gilmore and Anna Ramsey. Lone freshman Baylee Lucassen will likely have lots of classmate company as assistant coach Shani Gilreath's JV team was loaded with ninth-grade players. It was the Lady Trojans' fourth-straight trip to the tournament, but the first for Herrion as head coach.

With a mix of experience and youth, she is upbeat about the future.

"Well, we were excited to keep the tradition of making it up here (to the state tournament) alive. But we want to do more than get here. Still, I'm proud of my team for working hard, especially the last few weeks. My seniors have been great leaders and mentors all year. The future is bright."

Vogler led the Trojans (28-22) with 10 kills, four blocks and three digs, Cherilyn Ramsey had five kills, four blocks and four digs, Lee had three kills and two blocks, setter Kayla Owens had 18 assists and 11 digs and libero Krista Owens had 18 digs.