PELHAM, Ala. – The No. 8 Lady Golden Bears of Robertsdale drew a tough No. 6 Vestavia Hills team to open the first round of the Class 6A Elite Eight state tournament at the Pelham Civic Complex last week.

The Bears had the Rebels on the ropes in game two, but dropped the quarterfinal in three games 25-14, 25-22, 25-19.

"When you get to this level you have to play ball," said RHS coach Metta Roberts. "We had too many mistakes and didn't put enough points on the board. We had a chance to win game two. And when you're in that position, it's most important not to miss serves at that point. But we let them back in and just didn't finish and that's been the story for us when we come up here."

Roberts has brought seven RHS teams to the Elite Eight tournament since 2000 where the competition is always tough.

"At Robertsdale High School, we normally fair well in volleyball, but when we get here, we always have to face the fact that most of these schools up here have girls that play year round and it shows. Most of my kids only play during volleyball season. It just shows that, like these kids up here do – with club season, playing all year – they have more experience and they handle the pressure a little bit better and that's what it takes. But I'm very proud of my girls for working hard and for the effort they have put in all year. Very proud."

Sheila Dailey led the Bears with 11 kills and four digs and Kellen Shirley had 19 assists. The Lady Bears ended the 2010 season 41-12 overall, while the Lady Rebels met eventual 6A state champion Huntsville in the semifinals.

Roberts said she was proud of her six seniors: Deserai Bradley, Bailey Cincotta, Sheila Dailey, Tiesha McKinney, Dienesha McKinney and Kellen Shirley.

"Yeah, I'm losing a whole volleyball team with six," she laughed. "But I am just really proud of them. They had a real good season and helped the younger players a lot."

Among the Lady Bears coming back next year with significant playing time will be sophomore Bethany Coley, juniors Kayli Evans and Ebony Mitchell and freshman Austin Richardson.

"I thought they (underclassmen) played well for us," Roberts said. "But losing that many seniors means we definitely have our work cut out for us next year."

Also making the Elite Eight roster for RHS were sophomores Victoria Creamer and Brooke McGhee and junior Kelsie Keegan.