Bob Jones returns to state volleyball championship today, faces old foe McGill-Toolen
BIRMINGHAM – For the third time in as many seasons, Bob Jones and McGill-Toolen will meet to decide the 2024 Class 7A state high school volleyball championship.
The Lady Patriots, who won two matches Tuesday to advance to the finals, can only hope the third time turns out to be the charm after finishing runner-up to the Dirty Dozen the last two years.
The match is set for 4:30 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex’s Bill Harris Arena.
“We are excited to be in the finals,’’ Bob Jones head coach Jenny Jarrett said. “We definitely have history with McGill. I feel like these girls are excited for the opportunity to try to finish the goal this year.’’
The two teams played a full five sets in the 2022 and 2023 title clash. The pair also met earlier this year in August with McGill-Toolen again winning, this time in a best-of-three battle in the championship of the Juanita Boddie Tournament.
Bob Jones (52-9) finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in 7A in the Alabama Sports Writers Association rankings after spending some time in the top spot. McGill-Toolen (44-9) finished ranked No. 1.
Tuesday, Bob Jones defeated Bayside Academy (32-12) 25- 21, 25-20, 25-18 in the quarterfinals. For the Lady Patriots, statistical leaders were Kennedy Vaughn (12 kills, 10 digs), Riley Lovell (28 assists, 7 digs), Anabelle Arnold (10 kills), Mya Lacey (7 kills) and Kali Beigh (13 digs).
In the semifinals, the Lady Patriots defeated Vestavia Hills (29-14) 26-24, 25-19, 25-21. Leading the win were Vaughn (14 kills, 8 digs), Lacey and Arnold (7 kills apiece), Beigh (18 digs, 6 assists) and Lovell (27 assists, 11 digs).
Though Bob Jones swept through the first day without losing a game, Jarrett said the semifinal win didn’t come easy.
“I’m always proud of my team, but the win tonight was especially sweet,’’ she said. “It was a very gritty performance by our setter Riley who got injured and managed to continue to play.’’
McGill-Toolen swept Huntsville (32-10) 25-18, 26-24, 25-15 and knocked off Hoover (40-11) 25-21, 30-32, 25-21, 25-20 to advance.
