Mustangs win 12th consecutive area title

Published 10:55 pm Monday, October 12, 2009

Make it an even dozen.

The Isabella volleyball team on Monday won its 12th consecutive area championship, defeating Thorsby 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-19).

The Rebels (19-17) defeated St. Jude 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-6) to earn second place in the area and a berth in the regional round of the state playoffs.

Both Isabella (26-7) and Thorsby will play in a regional tournament hosted by the winner of Class 2A, Area 5, which includes Goshen, Highland Home and Zion Chapel.

All regional tournaments begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Isabella coach Glen Graham said he was pleased with how his team performed Monday, coming off a disappointing loss to Jemison over the weekend in the championship game of the Chilton County tournament.

“I was real proud of the girls, how we came back,” Graham said. “But I’ve been stressing this: this is the playoffs, and this is what gives us our chance to make it to our ultimate goal, which is the Elite 8.”

Amber Wyatt was the tournament Most Valuable Player. She finished with 15 kills and six blocks.

Marlee Hayes (eight assists and two kills), Kimi Jones (14 digs) and Savannah Kissel (six kills and an ace) were also all-tournament selections for the Mustangs .

Thorsby’s all-tournament selections were Kelsie Davis (14 kills and two blocks in two matches) and Brittany Maddox (16 digs, nine kills, eight aces and two blocks).