Madison Academy falls in state finals

By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

BIRMINGHAM — The box score of the AHSAA Class 3A volleyball state championship final shows the Madison Academy Mustangs fell in to the Bayside Academy Admirals, 3-1 on Oct. 31 at the Birmingham Crossplex.
What the box score doesn’t show is just how hard the Mustangs fought the Admirals in the loss.
In the opening set, the Mustangs came out swinging, going on a 6-0 run to turn a 5-4 Bayside lead into a 10-5 Mustang advantage. The Mustangs continued to hold the the five-time defending champions at bay, clutching to a 23-2 lead late. The Admirals came charging back, however, and held the Mustangs at game point, 24-23. The two squads battled back and forth through extended points, with Bayside managing a 33-31 final score.
With the momentum against them, the Mustangs then opened a 5-4 second set lead, but the Admirals were not to be denied, taking a 25-9 set win.
With its back against the wall, Madison Academy fought back in the third set, opening a 9-8 lead and holding Bayside off to capture a 25-20 set win to keep the championship hopes alive.
It was the only set win the Mustangs managed, as a 25-9 fourth set win by Bayside eliminated the Mustangs.
While the defeat stung, head coach Wendy Rucker said she was proud of the fight her team showed.
“We knew the first set was really important,” she said. “When we didn’t get it, it swung the momentum their way. I could not be more proud of them. (The third set win) just shows tons of heart and fierce competitiveness and the love they have for each other.”
Taylor Gill led the Mustangs with 11 kills, five digs, two blocks, an assist and two aces, CeCe Blanchard had 11 kills, Lauren Milar had a kill, seven digs and 12 assists, Kerri Whittaker had 17 digs and Abby Brooks had two kills, six blocks and a dig.
Gill and Blanchard were named to the all-tournament team.