For the past two seasons, Briarwood Christian School’s volleyball team has gotten used to winning and appearing in the state final at the Pelham Civic Complex. This year is no different, even with a new coach.

“They’re really focused and they really want it, but I have to get them focused on that the state final is not given to us,” BCS head coach Justin Dee said. “Everybody’s telling us that it should be us and St. Paul’s, but you know what, we have two games to go and we have to win both of them.”

The two state powers have met in the final the past two years with St. Paul’s coming out ahead both times.

“We really want to get (to the final) because we want another chance at them before we graduate,” senior libero Lauren Parks said.

Last year, Briarwood jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but struggled to find an edge in the 3-2 loss. The Lions have learned from the mistakes of that match.

“This year, if we get ahead we have to finish it. We can’t let them hang around because they’ll come back,” Parks said.

Hale agrees.

“We can’t lose intensity,” she said. “We have to play each game at a time.”

Briarwood meets Hartselle in the first round of the Elite Eight Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.. Should the Lions win, they will play either Faith Academy or Southside-Gadsden at 8:30 p.m. The title match is Thursday at 3 p.m.