By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
PELHAM - Unseating the most prolific volleyball program in Alabama High School Athletic Association history proved to be too much to ask of Danville.
Bayside Academy beat Danville 25-20, 25-20, 25-18 in the Class 3A semifinals last Thursday at the Elite Eight state tournament at the Pelham Civic Center to claim its 17th state title since 1981, two shy of the state record of 19 held by McGill-Toolen.
Savannah Simmons had 14 kills to lead the No. 2 Admirals to the win over ninth-ranked Danville.
Danville finished the season with a 37-26 record. The state tournament appearance was the fourth-straight for the Lady Hawks.
Bayside went on to defeat No. 1 ranked Madison Academy in a five-game championship match Friday to claim its seventh straight state championship in its first year playing in Class 3A. Bayside came into the tournament with nine Class 2A state championships in the previous 10 tournaments.
Lindsay Simmons had 16 kills and Jordan Spinks added 15 in the loss to Bayside Academy. Kaitlin Wallace finished with 14 assists and Kimberly Wallace chipped in with eight assists.
Lacey Evans had a team-high seven digs.
All four of the Class 3A teams in the semifinals - Bayside Academy, Madison Academy, West Morgan and the Lady Hawks - participated in the Danville's Tournament of Champions during the regular season.
Danville went to a fifth and deciding game in its semifinal match with Trinity Presbyterian in the first round to earn the shot at Bayside Academy.
The Lady Hawks beat Trinity 21-25, 25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 15-13 as Spinks finished with a team-high 18 kills.
Danville led 12-10 in the fourth game, but Trinity scored three straight points to take the lead and went on to win the game by three points to force the deciding game.
Lindsay Simmons added 16 kills for Danville in the win.
Kaitlin Wallace ran the Lady Hawks' offense in the win, finishing with 29 kills. She also had an ace and seven digs.
Danville got eight kills, six digs and nine service aces from Kirby Wallace, while Chelsea Keenum had six kills.
Tara Wimberley added two kills. Lacey Evans and Morgan Doherty added 15 and 10 digs respectively for the Lady Hawks.