Red Bank's Dani Usher rises to block during the region 3-AA volleyball championship match between Red Bank and Hixson at Red Bank High School on Tuesday.One tradition continued Tuesday at Red Bank, and another may have started.
The host Lady Lions won the Region 3-AA volleyball tournament 3-0 over Hixson -- which gives the senior class four consecutive championships -- while the Lady Wildcats are advancing to a sectional match for the first time.
"We had to focus and play our game, which is perseverance," said Red Bank senior Rachel Thornbury, the tournament most valuable player. "There's always pressure to keep it going, but we don't focus on that."
The Lady Lions (27-25) earned the sweep by scores of 25-9, 25-20 and 25-21 and will host a sectional matchup on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Hixson is trying to get its tradition started. It will play on the road Thursday.
"They're setting the foundation for what we want to do," coach Janet Tate said. "They said from day one in July that they wanted to start a tradition. Doing that is hard work.
"Whoever is next, bring it on."
The Lady Wildcats won only two service points in the first set, but they had the hosts down early in the second and were tied at 15 before Red Bank scored two points for every one for Hixson.
"I think we left it on the court and did what we can do," Tate said. "They just don't quit. Look at that third game when we were down 7-1 and (took a 10-8 lead). They compete, and as a coach that's all I can ask for."
Red Bank earned leads of 16-11, 19-15, and 24-20 in the third game before Dani Usher ended the match with a well-placed tip that fell to the floor and sparked a celebration.
"We tried to split those big girls (Usher and Marjaroie Smith])and get there quick," Tate said. "We weren't as successful as we would have liked. They throw two bigs on you and you can't go at that. Sometimes we're not real smart about that."
Red Bank was led by senior Allison Walker with eight kills, Thornbury with 20 assists and Hannah Wilson with 13 digs. Abby Tipton led the Lady Wildcats with 18 digs, and Tatyona Staten had eight kills.
"I'm kind of speechless because we've been through slumps and we're peaking at the right time," Walker said. "It's insane how well we get along when we're all together. It's adrenaline-rushing how happy we all get out there.
"Carrying on the tradition for another year is very rewarding."
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.