Both the Oak Mountain Eagles and the Briarwood Lions entered last weekend’s Elite Eight state volleyball tournament with high hopes, but late Friday afternoon found both teams packing up and heading home after being eliminated from championship play.

The Lions started the tournament with a victory over Oxford in the quarterfinals, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19, but Briarwood fell at the hands of eventual 5A champion Huntsville, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16, in the semis.

The Eagles lost to rival Vestavia Hills for the second time in a week, 23-25, 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11 in the quarterfinal round.

McGill-Toolen was crowned 6A champions