Signal Mountain will be making its fourth consecutive trip to the TSSAA Class AA volleyball state tournament after defeating Hixson 3-0 at Signal Mountain in one of Thursday's state sectionals.
Red Bank's Lady Lions also are advancing to the Class AA state event after defeating visiting Upperman 3-2.
The state tournament is next Wednesday through Friday at various locations in the Murfreesboro area.
The Lady Eagles scored the first six points of their match on the way to winning the first set 25-11.
"I thought that helped," Signal Mountain coach Jennifer Redman said. "We wanted to set a precedent that we came ready to play. I think we put them on their heels a little bit."
Signal Mountain (43-8) won the next two sets 25-15, 25-20.
"The third set I felt like we lost focus a little bit," Redman said. "Those are things we've got to get corrected in the next four days."
Maia Rackel topped the Lady Eagles with 12 kills, and Olivia Powers had 10. Sidney Lapinski was the digs leader with 14, and her 14 assists were one fewer than leader Kate Barry. Mackenzie Lewis served three aces.
The Lady Eagles have been playing without kills leader and middle blocker Aubrie Johnson, who dislocated a thumb. Redman is expecting Johnson to be released by doctors early next week and to be available to play in the state tournament.
Dakota Rawiszer sparked Hixson (17-20) with five kills, three blocks and eight digs. Abby Rector also had five kills for the Lady Wildcats, who were playing in their third consecutive sectional.
Rachel Cline led with 10 digs and Sam Dove led with 10 assists. Dove, Courtney Jones and Samantha McKee were the team's seniors.
"We knew we had a lot to do," Hixson coach Janet Tate said of having to find successors for the five that graduated off last year's state-tournament team. "They improved a lot. I was real pleased with our senior leadership. They were excellent examples."
Class AAA sectional
Cleveland hosted a volleyball sectional for the first time and will be headed to the state tournament for the first time. The Lady Raiders beat Oakland 3-1 by set scores of 25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16.
Cleveland (38-12) had 56 kills in the victory with Emma Flowers registering 34 of them. Anna Renshaw led with 37 assists and five aces. Lauren Lee was the digs leader with 31.
Class A sectionals
Sale Creek (39-5) is advancing to the state tournament after defeating Red Boiling Springs 3-1 at Hixson Middle.
Grace Academy's season came to an end at 30-11 after a 3-1 loss at Goodpasture.
GHSA first round
Ridgeland hosted and defeated Carver 3-0 in Class AAAA. The Lady Panthers won by set scores of 25-14, 25-19, 25-17.
They were led by 16 kills and eight aces from Te'a Owens, who has committed to play at Appalachian Athletic Conference member Point University in West Point, Ga. Taylor Williams had 30 assists and five digs for Ridgeland (26-10).
Northside Columbus beat visiting Heritage 3-1 by set scores of 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17.
The Generals' leader was Kinsey Hargis with 10 kills and 19 digs. Nikol Taylor added eight kills and nine digs.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com.