Boyd-Buchanan played in the TSSAA Class A state volleyball championship match in 2012, but the Lady Buccaneers didn't get the result they wanted. Last year was another state-tournament season for the Lady Bucs, but again no title.
Thanks to Thursday's 3-0 victory over Watertown at Boyd-Buchanan, they're headed back to the state tournament in Murfreesboro to chase the elusive title again. Set scores against the Lady Purple Tigers were 25-17, 25-17, 25-11.
Outside hitter Asia Kirkman had sparked Boyd-Buchanan (32-14) at the net in its district and region finals, but it was Sarah Emrey with her 20 kills from the middle that paced Thursday's win.
Emrey said there was no particular plan to to make her the go-to player against Watertown or to set less for Kirkman, who chipped in with 10 kills.
"I think it was just us mixing it up," Emrey said.
Boyd-Buchanan first-year coach Alfie Dodd said all the credit for Emrey's big effort belongs to the player.
"From the beginning of the season that I've had Sarah this year, she's one of the more coachable people I've been around," Dodd said. "She always adds something at practice that we can take into the match later that week. Her attitude and energy stay up all the time."
Emrey also credited the back row for keeping the ball off the floor and getting it to setters Kristen Reynolds and Halie Williamson, who combined for 29 assists. Libero Katie DeLay led the back-line defense with 20 digs, and Williamson led the serving with six aces.
"The times we really needed it, Katie DeLay would come through with a big dig," Dodd said. "It was complete team effort."
The Lady Bucs got off to a 7-1 start in the first set. Dodd said he thought that enabled his players to relax a little. Watertown hung around and was within 17-16 in the first set and had it 9-9 in the second, but after winning those Boyd-Buchanan started 5-0 in the third and stayed in command of the set that clinched it.
The state tournament will be held Wednesday through Friday next week at various high schools in the Murfreesboro area and at Middle Tennessee State University's Murphy Center.
"I'm so excited right now," Emrey said. "I'm just ready for it."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him at twitter.com/KelleySmiddie.