Pleasant Valley earned its second straight Class 2A state volleyball championship on Wednesday, downing Lindsay Lane (25-18, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23) in four sets at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham.
The Lions, who also fell to the Raiders at last week’s North Super Regional, finished their fantastic campaign with a 44-16 record and Red Map trophy.
Lindsay Lane held a 19-12 lead in the fourth set before Pleasant Valley delivered a 9-0 run to put itself in position to close out the win. The Lions did save a pair of match points late but ultimately couldn’t force a fifth set.
Lydia Carter (21 kills, 12 digs), Emily Gallaway (five digs), KK Jones (16 kills, eight digs), Alice Morrison (11 digs), Taylor Gallaway (three digs), Riley Green (34 assists, eight digs) and Lily Jackson (13 digs) were the top contributors for coach Alex Dizon’s squad.
Carter, Jones and Green were each named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Lions will graduate seven seniors — Madison Tucker, Carter, Madelyn Menefee, Lucy Morrison, Kynsley Looney, Millie Lewis and Jackson — but do return several key players who will no doubt be aiming for a return to the big stage next season.