Silverdale Baptist Academy’s first appearance in the TSSAA volleyball state tournament could very well end with the Lady Seahawks celebrating the program’s first state championship.
They’re just one match victory away.
Silverdale beat Lakeway Christian 3-1 in best-of-five play Wednesday night at Middle Tennessee Christian School, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17, 25-12, and advanced to Thursday’s Division II-A final, where they will meet MTCS (32-3) at noon Eastern at Middle Tennessee State University.
The Lady Seahawks (29-8) secured their spot with some pizzazz, with the final four points against Lakeway Christian coming via kills from Camryn Neal and Sophie Easterday, an ace from Caroline Hilton and a powerful block by Faith Woods, who went up at the right side of the net to deliver the finishing touch.
Neal leads the Lady Seahawks with nearly 400 kills this season, but she’s one of many players who have made their run possible.
“Playing for a state title is a tremendous honor for our school and community,” Lady Seahawks coach Geri Gearrin said. “This moment reflects years of growth, belief and a commitment to doing things the right way. These girls have poured everything into this season with their effort, their faith and their love for each other. They have earned this opportunity. I am so proud of how they have carried themselves with humility, toughness and grace.”
To reach what would be a historic 30th win for Silverdale, the Lady Seahawks will have to take down an opponent that has won all five sets against them this season, including 25-23, 25-14, 25-21 in the opening round for the four-team bracket Tuesday. MTCS won a best-of-three match against Silverdale on Aug. 23, with the Lady Cougars winning the sets by a combined seven points.
Silverdale bounced back from the state loss to MTCS by beating Battle Ground Academy 3-1 later Tuesday in an elimination match, and the Lady Seahawks added another four-set elimination victory against Lakeway Christian to secure a rematch with MTCS.
“They have prepared for this moment, they have earned it, and now it’s time to own it,” Gearrin said. “This moment is about staying connected, finishing strong together, and showing the heart that got us here. If our girls trust the work they have put in, play free in the moment and compete with joy, they will walk out of that gym as champions in every sense of the word.”
Lakeway had to face Silverdale after losing a midday match Wednesday to MTCS, 25-16, 25-13, 25-18.
Now it’s Silverdale versus MTCS in a winner-take-all showdown, and the Lady Cougars have similar motivation as they seek their program’s first state title in their first appearance in a state final — though in their case, this is their fourth straight tournament appearance and fourth overall.
Two other Chattanooga-area programs are still alive at state, although both are competing in their respective classifications’ consolation brackets.
In Class A, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences (29-8), pushed out of title contention by Tuesday’s first-round loss to Summertown, bounced back with a sweep of Union City, 25-11, 25-21, 25-9. The Lady Patriots next face South Greene at 1 p.m. Eastern on Thursday at Siegel High School, with the winner facing either Merrol Hyde or Summertown for third place at 6 p.m.
Eaglevill and Gordonsville meet in Friday’s Class A title match.
And in Class AA, Signal Mountain (30-13) also impressed with Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Sullivan East, 25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, shaking off being swept in Tuesday’s first round by Valor College Prep. The Lady Eagles next face Creek Wood at 10:30 a.m. Eastern at Rockvale High School, with the winner taking on Chuckey-Doak or Crockett County for third place at 6 p.m.
Dyer County and Valor College Prep meeting in Friday’s Class AA title match.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.