State Bound: Lady Stallions Sweep Unity to Reach Final Eight
The South Lawrence Lady Stallions are headed back to the state tournament.
Playing in front of a packed and energetic home crowd Thursday night in Loretto, South Lawrence defeated Unity Middle School in straight sets, 25-20 and 25-22, to win the sectional championship and secure a spot among the final eight teams in the state.
The victory improved South Lawrence to 23-2 on the season and sends the Lady Stallions to the state tournament for the second time in three years.
Unity, the District 7 champion, entered the match with a 17-3 record and quickly showed why it had reached the sectional round. The Lady Lions jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set and later held advantages of 9-4 and 20-19.
South Lawrence never panicked.
After falling behind early, the Lady Stallions gradually worked their way back behind strong play at the net from Harper Alldredge and timely serving from Molly Stone. South Lawrence tied the set at 9, and the two teams went back and forth throughout the middle stages.
Unity regained the lead late and reached 20 first, but the Lady Stallions closed the opening set in dominant fashion. South Lawrence scored the final six points, with Stone delivering several key serves and Alldredge continuing to control the net.
Alldredge put away the final point to give South Lawrence a 25-20 opening-set victory and send the already loud home crowd into a frenzy.
The second set followed a similar script.
This time South Lawrence grabbed the early lead before Unity responded with a run of its own. The Lady Lions built a 7-2 advantage, forcing South Lawrence to once again play from behind.
The Lady Stallions answered by scoring seven of the next eight points to move in front 9-8.
Alldredge continued to be the driving force offensively, piling up kills and blocks while South Lawrence received contributions throughout the lineup from Tess Newton, Anna Kate Sanderson, Reagan Stutts, Izzy Methvin and Stone.
South Lawrence eventually stretched its lead to 20-14 and appeared to be closing in on the state tournament, but Unity refused to go away.
The Lady Lions mounted one final rally behind strong serving, cutting a 23-18 South Lawrence advantage all the way to 23-22.
With the sectional championship hanging in the balance, Stone delivered a kill to move the Lady Stallions to match point.
Unity kept the final rally alive through several South Lawrence attacks before Methvin set up Stutts at the net. Stutts put the ball down for the final point, giving South Lawrence a 25-22 victory and setting off a celebration inside the South Lawrence gym.
Alldredge turned in a standout performance that included double-digit kills, several key blocks and an ace during the closing stages of the second set.
The atmosphere inside the gym was equally memorable. South Lawrence students, football players, former Lady Stallions and members of the Loretto High School volleyball team were among those helping create a packed and energetic home-court advantage.
The win continued an outstanding postseason run for the Lady Stallions. South Lawrence previously defeated Culleoka and Summertown to win the District 8 Championship and earn the opportunity to host Thursday night’s sectional.
South Lawrence has now won 46 of the 50 sets it has played this season. Remarkably, the Lady Stallions have not played a three-set match all year. Their two losses both came in straight sets, while every South Lawrence victory has been a sweep.
The trip to state also marks another milestone for head coach Shelby Fisher, who is in her second season leading the program. The toughness and competitive mentality Fisher has instilled in her team were evident throughout the night as the Lady Stallions continued to respond each time Unity made a run.
That resilience was on display throughout Thursday night’s match.
South Lawrence trailed in both sets. Unity had opportunities to take control in both sets. Each time, the Lady Stallions responded.
Now, after a 23-2 season and a sectional championship on their home floor, South Lawrence is among the final eight teams still playing.
The Lady Stallions will open State Tournament play on Thursday as they continue their pursuit of a state championship.
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