The Ringgold High School volleyball team threw a block party Tuesday night, and as a result the Lady Tigers are advancing to the Elite Eight in the GHSA Class AAA state tournament.
The Lady Tigers (29-8) swept visiting West Hall by scores of 25-19, 25-15 and 25-12 and will play Saturday against an opponent to be determined tonight after GHSA officials reseed the remaining teams. Ringgold, led by senior Kendall Williams’ 11 kills and 10 blocks, dominated front line play, consistently thwarting West Hall scoring chances with big blocks.
“The key tonight was whenever they ran their offense, we dug it out every time,” Ringgold coach John Gaston said. “Our passing was good and we really blocked well tonight. That gets in a team’s head when you hit it and it keeps coming right back at you.”
Machala Askew had 18 assists and seven aces, and Britney Goldsmith had six kills in the Ringgold win.
Also in the Class AAA tournament, LaFayette lost in three games to Oconee County, 25-22, 25-20 and 25-13, and Southeast Whitfield fell 25-9, 25-22 and 25-10 at second-ranked Columbus.
In the A/AA tournament, Gordon Lee’s run ended with a 25-21, 25-17, 26-24 loss to Our Lady of Mercy. Sara Holder led the Lady Trojans (34-5) with eight kills, with Caroline Jewell adding seven and Allie O’Neal six.
Region 3-AAA: At Cookeville, Soddy-Daisy won its 17th match in a row with a sweep of Warren County to claim the region title. Hayli Raines led the triumph with 13 kills and 10 digs, while fellow all-region selections Kelsey Nunley and Rachel Shaughnessy added 10 and nine kills for the 48-11 winners.
Region 4-AA: At Livingston Academy, Chattanooga Christian swept through two matches to claim the title, first downing Upperman 25-13, 28-26 before defeating Notre Dame in the final, 25-16, 25-18 and 25-16. Taylor Snipes was named the tournament MVP after totalling 28 kills and 14 digs Tuesday. Kelsie Lochstampfor had 31 kills, 25 digs and 10 aces for CCS, while Locksley Henley added 59 assists. Hailee Ray and Angela Monk joined Snipes, Lochstampfor and Snipes on the all-tournament team.