Kicking off today, the highly anticipated 54th annual AHSAA volleyball state championship tournament features a robust lineup of 56 teams vying for glory across seven distinct classes, showcasing the best talent in high school volleyball.
Today’s thrilling matches will see Class 7A, 6A, 4A, and 2A teams competing in both quarterfinals and semifinals, all happening at the state-of-the-art Birmingham CrossPlex. The crowning champions of these classes will be decided tomorrow at the historic Bill Harris Arena.
On Wednesday, the excitement continues with Class 5A, 3A, and 1A athletes stepping onto the court for their own quarterfinal and semifinal encounters, culminating in dramatic title matches slated for Thursday.
The setup for each quarterfinal and semifinal round this week takes place across four dynamic courts at the Birmingham CrossPlex, ensuring an exhilarating atmosphere for players and fans alike.
10:50 a.m.: With the excitement palpable, all Class 2A matches have officially commenced.
10:35 a.m.: In a gripping matchup, Gulf Shores triumphed over Buckhorn in a hard-fought four sets — 19-25, 25-19, 25-23, and 25-14. This victory propels them into the Class 6A semifinals against Pelham this afternoon.
The Dolphins were led by standout Sophiia Sobol, who notched an impressive 16 kills. Kallyn McComb contributed significantly with 18 digs, while Macey Moore added 11 assists along with 5 kills. Alexis Tetreau was vital with a remarkable 33 assists, and Victoria McFarland showcased her strength with 6 kills and 4 blocks. For Buckhorn, key performances came from Presley Adams with 10 kills, and Addison Layne, who accumulated 24 assists and an impressive 23 digs.
10:18 a.m.: Chelsea delivered a powerful performance against Cullman, winning decisively with scores of 25-18, 25-10, and 25-17, earning them a place in this afternoon’s Class 6A semifinals against Spanish Fort.
Lauren Buchanan was a force for the Hornets, leading her team with 21 kills and 8 digs. Alexis Rudolph supported the effort with 13 kills and 3 aces. Cara Belcher’s leadership was reflected in her 41 assists, while Lila Willett added valuable contributions with 3 kills and 2 aces. For Cullman, Ava Kay was notable with 7 kills, and Olivia Dover secured 20 assists to enhance her team’s performance.
10:15 a.m.: Pelham’s strong showing saw them defeat Jasper in straight sets, with scores of 25-21, 25-12, and 25-20, securing their spot in the Class 6A semifinals later today.
10:10 a.m.: Spanish Fort cruised past Hazel Green, winning in three straight sets with scores of 25-17, 25-21, and 25-18, ensuring their advancement to the Class 6A semifinals.
Leading the charge for the Toros, Zoe Beech demonstrated remarkable skill with 14 kills and 12 digs, while Natalie Maxwell added 12 kills and a couple of blocks. Cailyn Boykin excelled with an impressive 34 assists, along with 8 digs and 3 kills, and Carlyn McAllister had a notable game with 11 digs and 5 kills. Taylor Ishmael’s contributions included 9 digs, 7 kills, and 5 aces, showcasing the deep talent across the roster.
In the early hours of the competition, the first-set winners revealed themselves: Spanish Fort triumphed over Hazel Green (25-17), Pelham outperformed Jasper (25-21), Chelsea gained the upper hand against Cullman (25-18), and Buckhorn took the initial lead against Gulf Shores (25-19).
9:05 a.m., Let’s roll: The excitement is palpable as the 2024 volleyball state championship tournament officially begins.
