The Pelham Panthers were going for their first state championship in volleyball in seven years, but McGill-Toolen had other ideas at the Pelham Civic Center last Wednesday.

The Panthers bombed Robertsdale 25-13, 25-17 and 25-20 in the morning quarter-final match.

Already projected to be a blue chip college volleyball prospect, sophomore Whitney Billings had 12 kills and seven blocks in that contest.

But McGill-Toolen dumped the Panthers 25-15, 25-14 and 25-12 in the semi-finals. The Panthers had no one in double digits.

Coached by Tammy Richardson, Pelham starters included Alison Young, Liz Lee, Whitney Hudson, Billings, Shea McBea, Jazmine Clark, Noel Corbin, Kristin McKay and Ashley Cole.

The Panthers, who entered the tournament with a record of 50-10, last won a state title in 1997.

Richardson said her team has grown this year as people.

INDIAN SPRINGS FALLS TO LEXINGTON

Indian Springs fell short in its first effort to win a state title in volleyball in school history last Wednesday.

Indian Springs fell to Lexington in the quarterfinals of the state volleyball tournament at the Pelham Civic Center.

The Indian Springs girls found themselves playing for a state title in volleyball under first year head volleyball coach Pam Abernathy.

Abernathy said, &8220;I&8217;m just so excited for the ladies and for the school and the community because it&8217;s a first time experience and it&8217;s such an awesome experience.&8221;

But things did not go well when the whistle blew. Lexington took Indian Springs out 25-17, 25-18, and 25-18.

Starters for Indian Springs included Abby Garner, Anchal Bansal, Jilian Theibert, Megan Eskridge, Marketa Novak and Tillia Ruston.

The team also included Kari Todd, Pina Sax, Kristen Stich and Rebecca Barr.

This year Indian Springs was Class 3A Area 7 champions, Region B Champions, Sub-State Champs and made their first Elite Eight appearance.

Abernathy is in her 14th year of coach and this year marked the third time, she took a program to the Elite Eight in her first season with them.

Indian Springs concluded the season with a record of 24-2.