By DREW GRANTHUM/ Sports Writer

BIRMINGHAM — The Calera Eagles volleyball squad fell in the first round of the AHSAA volleyball state championship Oct. 30 to the Pope John Paul II Falcons, 3-1.

The Eagles opened up with a 25-23 win in the first set, but faltered down the stretch, allowing the Falcons to capture the match.

Calera head coach Amanda Lewis said she felt her team did not execute when needed.

“They played better than we played on a day they had to,” she said. “We did not have good ball control, couldn’t get the ball to our hitters effectively.”

Lewis went on to say the squad was extremely disappointed with the early exit.

“They had high expectations,” she said. “We work all season for this, and we got a good draw in a game that we feel we are the better team, but you have to show that when it counts. Today it counted, and we didn’t.”

Lewis also said the squad seemed to have trouble getting on the same page.

“We’re an emotional team. When we get down and don’t show emotion, it’s hard to read each other.”

Akia Harris led the Eagles with 13 kills and six digs, while Keyanna Gayden had six kills, two blocks, four digs and two aces. Aubrie Smith had six kills, a block, seven digs and three aces, and Faith Graham posted four digs and 24 assists.

The Eagles finished the season with a 35-9 record.