MA falls short at Ironman, Bob Jones takes Top 10 clash
HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy lost to Grissom in pool play to start the 42nd Ironman Tournament at Huntsville High, then reeled off five straight wins to advance to the bracket semifinals.
The Private School Double-A Lady Mustangs (8-8), who defeated Hazel Green in the tournament, lost to the Class 6A Lady Trojans (10-4) to fall shy of the title match.
The Lady Trojans (10-4) went 6-2 in the tournament and defeated the host Lady Panthers in the final to claim the tournament championship.
After losing to Grissom 2-1 (25-23, 2426, 15-6), Madison Academy defeated Albertville 2-1, Hazel Green 2-1 (22-25, 25-20, 15-12), Riverdale 2-0 (25-22, 25-21), Sparkman 2-1 (25-11, 27-29, 15-5) and James Clemens 2-1 (23-25, 27-25, 15-4) before falling to Hazel Green 2-0 (25-15, 25-16.)
• Madison Academy stat leaders: Janelle Lowery (2.5 KPS, 60 K; .236 HP; 16 BLK), Bekah Mouser (2.6 DPS, 115 D; 18 SA), Indali Robinson (173 A), Cydney Crawford (9 R).* This week: Tuesday (9/1)–at Randolph; Thursday (9-3)–vs. Buckhorn and Decatur.
James Clemens hovers near .500: In Huntsville, the Lady Jets (9-10) went 2-3 in the Ironman Tournament.
James Clemens lost to Wilson 2-1 (2516, 21-25, 12-15), defeated DAR 2-0 (25-14, 26-24), lost to the host Lady Panthers 2-0 (25-19, 26-24), defeated St. JPII 2-1 and lost to Madison Academy 2-1 (23-25, 27-25, 154).
• James Clemens stat leaders: Julia Celani (2.8 KPS, 84 K), Veronica Cabrales (.265 HP), Diya Patel (10 BLK), Emily Klop (3.3 DPS, 115 D; 130 R), Kylie Mills (144 A, 17 SA).* This week: Tuesday (9/1)–vs. Grissom; Thursday (9/3)–Helena and host Oak Mountain.
Sparkman goes winless: In Huntsville, the Lady Senators went 0-5 in the Ironman Tournament. Sparkman lost to Hartselle 2-0, Central-Florence 2-0, New Hope 2-1, Pelham 2-0 and Madison Academy 2-1.
This week: Tuesday (9-1)–vs. Fort Payne and host Lee; Thursday (9-3)–vs. DAR and Grissom.
Bob Jones takes Top 10 clash: In Madison, the Lady Patriots moved up one spot in the first volleyball regular season rankings released Thursday, then showed it was worthy of the lofty spot with a 3-0 sweep Thursday over visiting Spain Park.
Bob Jones (8-2), ranked No. 3 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, defeated No. 5 Spain Park (9-1) in straight sets 25-16, 25-19, 25-12.
This week: Tuesday (9/1)–Madison County and host Buckhorn; Wednesday (9/2)–vs. top-ranked Thompson at home; Friday (9/4) vs. Collierville, Saturday (95) at Tournament of Champions in Guntersville.
• Bob Jones stat leaders: Jessie Elitzer (2.0 KPS, 45 K), 22 Genie Brown (.321 HP, 20 BLK), Brooklyn Morgan (3.1 DPS, 66 D; 109 R), Zoe Robinson (71 assists, 10 aces).* *Team leader stats from maxpreps.com Legend: A=assists, BLK=blocks, DPS=digs per set, D=total digs, HP=hitting percentage, KPS=kills per set, K=total kills, R=receptions, SA=serving aces.
