Seven McIntosh seniors played their final regular season home games before a large, spirited crowd last Thursday night. The Lady Chiefs, which are currently ranked second in AAAA, swept Chapel Hill and Decatur in four straight games, pausing between matches to recognize seven players who have enjoyed outstanding careers.

Danielle Crawford - outside hitter; leads the team in kills (302), digs (240), and service aces (84).

Leah Thomson - outside hitter with 274 kills, 184 digs and 242 serves in play.

Andrea Lowery - middle blocker with 24.5 blocks, 87 kills and 44 service aces.

Jessica Weaver - right side hitter with 20 kills and 32 assists.

Carly Nessing - middle blocker with 27 kills and 15 service aces.

Kelsey Argumosa - defensive specialist with 201 digs and 346 serve receives in play.

Megan Cheatham - setter averaging 8.3 assists per game, leads the team with 367 serves in play.

This a such a great group of girls, we're really going to miss them next year both for their skill on the court and for what their individual personalities bring to the chemistry of the team, said Coach Wendy Weaver.

On Monday night the top two volleyball teams in AAAA squared off before a sparse crowd on a neutral court at Whitewater. McIntosh and Woodward Academy warmed up with wins over Northgate and Whitewater, respectively, and then began trading punches like a couple of heavyweights.

The first game seesawed back and forth with neither team able to gain a clear advantage. Just as Woodward began to pull away, McIntosh rallied to tie behind Andrea Lowerys three service aces. Woodward got big hits from the middle and won the first game 25-23. The War Eagles clung to a slim lead throughout the second game and held on to close out the match 25-21. Megan Cheatham totaled 26 assists for the Lady Chiefs, primarily setting Danielle Crawford and Leah Thomson who combined for 17 kills. Junior Samantha Krehel had four kills and two service aces.

McIntosh wrapped up the regular season with a win over Whitewater. The Lady Chiefs finished with an overall record of 39-10, including wins over five of the top seven teams in AAAAA. Area playoffs begin Oct. 20.

Starrs Mill, ranked third in AAAAA, hosts the area tournament this Saturday starting at 10 a.m. They faced Woodward Academy, ranked first in AAAA, and Sequoyah on Tuesday night. The Lady Panthers lost to Woodward, 25-18, 25-15 but beat Sequoyah 25-20, 25-15.

The Landmark Christian School varsity team, ranked second in A/AA, faced Athens Academy and Wesleyan on Tuesday. The Lady War Eagles defeated Athens Academy in three games (25-23, 23-25, 25-13) but lost to Wesleyan (25-20, 17-25, 19-25). They took on Eagles Landing Christian Academy and Woodward Academy at Eagles Landing Christian Academy last night after the paper went to press. The area tournament starts next Saturday at The Lovett School at 1 p.m.

While Whitewater went 0-3 against McIntosh, Northgate and Woodward Academy on Monday, Casey Howett produced a total of 13 digs in the matches against Northgate and Woodward. Jackie Gittins had 3.5 blocks against Northgate, while Katie Arrington had five service aces and seven assists. Against McIntosh, Jordan May had seven digs and five service aces.

On Tuesday, the Lady Wildcats defeated Mt. Zion, 25-22 and 25-15 with Jordan may and Howett each recording five service aces. The team lost to Union Grove but beat Houston County 25-22 and 25-23. Howett had seven kills in the win, May had 14 assists, Angela Grant had four kills and three blocks and Vanessa Warner had four service aces.

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