The state sectionals of volleyball start tomorrow and four local teams have a chance to win a state title.

Fayette County(19-12) vs Lassiter (33-13), Milton H.S., 10 a.m.

The Lady Tigers started the season winning only four of their first 11 games. They followed that up with four winning streaks of three games or longer though, meaning they were getting more consistent play from their starters. The team is led by captains outside hitter Jordan Gore and setter Katie Bankieris but all of the starters are solid contributors and can provide good play as a server or with passing skills.

Lassiter won the area 1-AAAAA championship, capping off a nine game winning streak. The Lady Trojans went undefeated in region play but had a stretch early in the seaon where they lost to Starr’s Mill, Landmark Christian and Woodward Academy, all of which have spent time at or near the top of their classifications this year.

The winner of this match will take on the winner of Kennesaw Mountain and Milton at 11:30 a.m.

Starr’s Mill (42-9) vs. Pope (29-15), Northview H.S., 10 a.m

The Lady Panthers are the defending state champs for Class AAAAA, but this isn’t the same team as last year. They do play the same style though, which is aggressive and fundamentally sound. There are six seniors on this squad and many of them have experience from last year’s championship run, including outside hitters Kelley Elder and Kristin Massmann and return hitter Aubry Ireland. All three were named to the 2-AAAAA all area team and Elder was named the 2-AAAAA All Area MVP.

Pope won eight of their last 11 games and finished as the area 1-AAAAA runner-up. There are only three seniors on the Lady Greyhounds team but three of their sophomores are 5’9” or over, including captain and setter Maggie Hoey.

The winner of this match will face the winner of Northview and McEachern at 11:30 a.m.

McIntosh (42-12) vs Jonesboro (32-2), Clarke Central H.S., 10 a.m.

The Lady Chiefs have had only one problem this year, beating Woodward Academy. The Lady WarEagles defeated the Lady Chiefs last week for the area 4-AAAA championship and McIntosh lost in their three other meetings this year as well. Other losses for the Lady Chiefs this year came against Starr’s Mill and Lassiter, both area champions in Class AAAAA, and Landmark Christian, an area champ in AA/A. McIntosh is led by seniors Danielle Crawford, who leads the team in kills, digs and service aces, oustside hitter Leah Thomson, defensive specialist Kelsey Argumosa and setter Megan Cheatham.

Jonesboro won 25 games in a row before falling to Sandy Creek on Oct. 6. Their only other loss this year came against Columbus a week later. What is perhaps most impressive about the Lady Cardinals is that the squad only has two seniors; middle hitter and blocker Brandi Callins and defensive specialist Toya Jackson.

The winner of this match will face the winner of Ringgold and Clarke Central at 11:30 a.m.

Landmark Christian (28-11) vs. Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (21-24), Wesleyan H.S., 10 a.m.

The Lady War Eagles are here every year and this season the team has been ranked second in Class AA/A for what seemed like the entire season. Landmark won another area championship with wins over Lovett last weekend and other big wins this season include victories over McIntosh and last year’s AAAAA state champs, Starr’s Mill. Five seniors lead the team including 6’0” setter Mary Lacis, Vanessa Dunmore, an outside and middle hitter who stands at 5’10”, defensive specialist Ciara Willis and outside hitters Ashley Mead and Leslie Adams. In their only meeting this year, Landmark defeated the Lady Chargers in two games.

Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy had a tough start to their season, losing nine of their first 10 matches. Though they had winning streaks of four and five games later in the season, they fell in a number of matches at the end of the season against Landmark, Woodward Academy and Decatur. There are four seniors on the squad including Elise Gregory, a 5’11 middle hitter and blocker, and outside hitters Morgan Dick and Hope Brown.

The winner of this match will face the winner of Wesleyan and Prince Avenue at 11:30 a.m.

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