SPANISH FORT, Alabama - The Spanish Fort Lady Toros swept rival Gulf Shores 25-13, 25-18, 25-19 to capture the Class 5A Area 2 tournament championship on Thursday.

The Toros and Dolphins both advanced to the South Super Regional at the Multiplex at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery next week by virtue of finishing in the top two spots in the area tournament.

"Tonight, hosting the area tournament for the first time in a long time, was huge for Spanish Fort and the team took the emotion from the beginning to the end," Spanish Fort head coach Barclay Kercher said. "We set the intensity from the start, and I think Gulf Shores had a hard time and it threw their service game off a little bit."

Shannon Paaymons had 14 digs and an ace, Ari Kaminski had three kills and two digs, Bailey Stein had five kills and three digs and Amber Treace had 19 assists, eight kills, four aces and two blocks for the Toro (31-17). Hayden Greene added eight kills, four aces and four digs in the win.

Gulf Shores advanced to the championship round of the three-team tournament after sweeping B.C. Rain 25-11, 25-16, 25-11. In the finals, Lauren Tait had 16 assists, three kills and two aces, Jessica Chavez had five aces and three kills, Erin McKee had six kills and Taylor Hurst had four kills for the Lady Dolphins.