BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the first time in school history, the Cullman Bearcats were on the court at the AHSAA State Volleyball Tournament at the Birmingham Crossplex Tuesday morning. The ‘Cats faced Chelsea in the 6A state quarterfinals, and the stands were packed with Cullman supporters, but the Hornets proved to be too much for the Bearcats and their postseason run came to an end with a 3-0 loss.
“To say that I am proud of my girls is the understatement of the year. This season has been long and it’s been tough. We have played a tough schedule full of mostly 6A and 7A teams,” Cullman Head Volleyball Coach Amy Hudson said. “This season has been spent learning to be mentally tough and learning how to win. It has not been easy. The one thing I hung on to all season long was hoping that we would peak at the exact time we needed to — and that’s exactly what has happened. These girls have stepped up and decided that they wanted to make school history.”
Cullman 0 – Chelsea 3 (18-25, 10-25, 17-25)
Chelsea jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the first set and maintained a 9-5 advantage as the set went on. Cullman was able to cut the lead to 10-8 and even tied things up at 10 at one point but the Hornets moved back in front 15-13 midway through the set. A 5-0 scoring run extended the lead to 20-13 and Chelsea pulled away to take the opening set 25-18.
The Hornets led 7-3 early in the second set and they put together a 7-1 scoring run to stretch the lead to 14-4 as the set went on. The Bearcats battled back to trim the lead to 21-10 but Chelsea was able to hold on and win the second set 25-10.
Chelsea took a 5-0 lead early in the third set to put Cullman in a hole, but the Bearcats were able to dig themselves out of the early deficit and trim the lead to 10-8. However, a 5-0 run from the Hornets gave them a 15-8 advantage midway through the set and Cullman was unable to bounce back. Chelsea pulled ahead 20-13 at one point and went on to take the third set 25-17, eliminating the Bearcats from the 6A state tournament 3-0.
Karina Harris posted six kills and a pair of digs in the loss, Ava Ray added seven kills and five digs and Blakely Brannon finished with six kills and three digs. Livi Smith recorded 13 digs, an assist and an ace and Olivia Dover posted 20 assists, five digs and one block.
“I am one proud coach,” Hudson said. “These girls are amazing in every way and regardless of what happens, they have done more than any other Cullman team ever has. And they will always be able to say they were the first. They have made their school and their community proud.”
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