Bob Jones outlasts Pelham in 6A final

By Todd Thompson, Madison Record
(Updated: Friday, November 7, 2008 3:08 PM CST)

PELHAM - The Bob Jones volleyball team was not about to be denied in the Elite Eight state tournament at the Pelham Civic Center last Thursday.

The Lady Patriots beat top-ranked Pelham 18-25, 32-30, 25-20, 25-23 to claim the Class 6A state championship. It was the first state volleyball championship in school history.

Bob Jones improved to 50-18 overall with the win in the championship.

“Last year, we were just happy to beat Grissom in the first match,” said Bob Jones head coach Laura Burke. “That was kind of like our state finals. This year, second was not on our agenda. Our mission was to win a state championship. The girls set that goal from day one.”

The win was Bob Jones’ first against Pelham this season. The Lady Panthers won all three of the previous meetings between the two teams.

Bethanie Thomas was named the tournament’s most valuable player after finishing with 21 kills, nine digs and four blocks.

Bob Jones fell behind in the match after Pelham controlled the opening game, but the two teams battled in the second game before the Lady Patriots pulled out a 32-20 victory.

Bob Jones won the next two games in tight battles to win the title.

“We had to keep telling ourselves to wait on the ball,” Burke said. “The first two games they hit through us several times, but in the third and fourth games we figured that out.

“My kids stay extremely focused. they didn't try to do too much or over analyze anything. I attribute that to being here last year. I think we played relaxed the whole time we were here.”

Danny Howell added 17 kills and four blocks for the Lady Patriots, while Kelly Wilson had 57 assists.

Howell and Wilson both earned all-tournament honors.

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