Eagles, Briarwood state-bound

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 25, 2005

The Oak Mountain Eagles and Briarwood Lions will represent Shelby County this week in the Elite Eight state volleyball playoffs at the Pelham Civic Center.

Briarwood defeated Oxford Saturday 25-12, 25-19 in the final game of Class 5A, Region B to claim a berth in the state tourney. The Lions were led by Haley Johnson and Emmy DeShazo, with Johnson notching 10 kills and DeShazo adding nine kills.

The Eagles move on to the Elite Eight despite losing to the Vestavia Hills Rebels in the Class 6A, Region C tournament held at Vestavia Hills on Saturday.

Kelsey Nichols had nine assists for Oak Mountain while Leah Griner and Christen Clements notched four kills each.

Briarwood begins play in Class 5A Pool One this Thursday at 9 a.m. and continues a match against Homewood at 11 a.m. and St. Paul’s at 1 p.m.

Oak Mountain starts with an 8 a.m. game against McGill-Toolen on Thursday and follows with matches against Auburn at 11 a.m. and Grissom at noon