By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

PELHAM — The Briarwood Christian School volleyball team labored through most of the season with its best players sitting out in multiple matches with injuries.

John Carroll Catholic witnessed how dangerous the Lions can be at full health in the quarterfinals of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A state tournament Oct. 27.

The Lions’ front line of Sara Kate Bracewell, Kate Carter and Logan Nasworthy dominated in Briarwood’s 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 sweep of the Cavs in the Elite Eight at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Bracewell and Carter missed multiple matches during the regular season due to injuries before returning to the team for the Lions’ postseason run, which already includes area and region tournament championships.

The win over John Carroll puts Briarwood (21-17) in the Class 5A semifinals, where the Lions will meet Faith Academy later in the evening Oct. 27 at 8:30 p.m. with a trip to the championship match on the line.

Briarwood won the first two games of the match with ease. John Carroll jumped out to a 5-1 lead early in the third game before Briarwood responded with a 14-7 run and coasted to victory in the third game.

Bracewell, a senior middle attacker, led the Lions with 10 kills and six digs. Bracewell also contributed three blocks.

Carter, a senior outside hitter, added five kills, two digs, a block and three service aces. Nasworthy, a junior outside hitter, added four digs, two service aces, a kill and a block.

Senior middle attacker Katie Briley chipped in seven kills, three digs and a block. Sophomore setter Adeline Reiser tallied a team-high 21 assists.