The McIntosh varsity volleyball team had lost to Starr’s Mill three times during the season, but won when it counted the most. The two teams, ranked No. 1 (Starr’s Mill) and No. 2 (McIntosh) in Class AAAA met Saturday in the state championship game and the Lady Chiefs won in four games, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.

Senior co-captain Kendall Wilde had 29 assists, 19 digs and two aces against Starr’s Mill, while senior Elyse Chubb and junior Katie Briggs combined for 25 kills and junior Ali Druskat, a libero, had 20 digs and four aces.

“What an awesome end to our season,” said McIntosh coach Wendy Weaver. “It’s been an exciting journey. “I am so proud of the girls. They put in what it takes to be a champion and I’m so pleased that their dedication and hard work has rewarded them with such an outstanding experience.”

The state championship is McIntosh’s first in volleyball. They finished the season ranked first in AAAA, with Starr’s Mill in second place. Sandy Creek faced Columbus in the Class AAA state final and lost in three games 25-19, 25-22, 25-15. Creek finished the season in second place.

Wilde and Leigh Moyer, both seniors, were also named to the South squad for the Senior All-Star game. Wilde had 108 aces, 728 assists, 210 digs and 71 kills this season. Moyer had 16 blocks and 196 kills this season.

Sandy Creek’s Olympia Haney and Starr’s Mill’s Alexis Shaffer and Mary Chaudoin were also named to the team.

Haney had 63 aces, 37 blocks, 308 digs, and 368 kills this season. Shaffer had 68 aces, 603 assists, 50 blocks, 152 digs and 331 kills, while Chaudoin had 134 aces, 624 assists, 27 blocks, 304 digs and 148 kills.