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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

GULF SHORES – While the National Shrimp Festival heated up outside, the volleyball action at the Shrimp Fest Tournament was even hotter, and the Spain Park Jaguars held their own against a loaded field.

Spain Park went 5-1 in Shrimp Fest on Oct. 10 and 11 with wins over the Robertsdale Golden Bears, James Clemens Jets, Jasper Vikings, Buckhorn Bucks and Hoover Buccaneers before losing to reigning Class 6A state champion Spanish Fort in the semifinals.

Spanish Fort would only lose in the finals to Class 7A reigning champion McGill-Toolen Catholic, which hasn’t lost since Aug. 29 and enters the playoffs as the top team in the state.

The Jags started out the tournament with three-straight sweeps, including in the pool play opener against Robertsdale.

Spain Park got off on a tear in the first set against the Golden Bears, opening up a double-digit lead before winning the opening frame by a score of 25-9.

That set the stage for a similarly dominant performance in the second set that ended in identical fashion, a 25-9 set win to seal the victory.

Ja’Niyah Mosley finished with seven kills and three total blocks, Cailyn Kyes earned 17 assists and four aces, Peyton Harrington secured six kills, three digs, two aces and two total blocks, Camdyn Kyes had five digs and Bea Wiggins finished with five kills.

The Jags finished out Friday with a match against Class 7A James Clemens that ended up being a tight affair.

Spain Park went down to the wire with the Jets in the first set and held off their opponent’s efforts to tie the set and win it. The Jags took care of set point to avoid extra points and win the first set by a score of 25-23.

From there, Spain Park earned a more comfortable win in the second set and took it in 25-19 fashion to secure the sweep.

Wiggins earned nine kills and 11 digs, Harrington had eight kills and nine digs, Mosley secured six kills, Camdyn Kyes had eight digs and Cailyn Kyes finished with 22 assists, six digs, four digs and two aces.

The Jags started out the Saturday slate against the Jasper Vikings and took two competitive sets. Spain Park secured the win over Jasper in the first set as it walked away with the 25-19 victory.

After that, the Jags earned the win in the second set with a score of 25-20 to win their third-straight match in straight sets.

Wiggins once again led the offense with eight kills as well as five digs, Cailyn Kyes finished with 18 assists and eight digs, Harrington had five kills and five digs, Camdyn Kyes earned six digs and Moseley had five kills.

Spain Park then took on Buckhorn in what became its first three-set match of the day. The Jags got off to a solid start in the matchup, gaining the edge in a close first set before winning in 25-22 fashion.

However, the Bucks surged in front and swung the momentum greatly in their favor in the second set. Buckhorn went on to win the second set by a score of 25-9 to extend the match to a third set.

Faced with adversity though, the Jags buckled down and won the third set 15-12 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Mosley earned 10 kills and 11 digs for a double-double, Wiggins had nine kills and Harrington secured eight kills while Camdyn Kyes finished with 12 digs and Cailyn Kyes had 21 assists and seven digs.

That set up a quarterfinal battle against crosstown rival Hoover, which the Jags already beat earlier in the season.

Spain Park got the upper hand in the matchup thanks to a strong effort in the first set, which it won by a score of 25-17.

The Bucs made the second set a close affair, and while the Jags had a chance to finish out the sweep, Hoover eked out a 25-23 win to force a third set.

However, Spain Park raced in front and slammed the door shut with a double-digit lead that turned into a 15-4 third-set win.

Wiggins, Harrington and Chloe Shumate each finished with six kills while Harrington added eight digs and Wiggins secured six digs. Madden Scott earned four aces, Moseley had five total blocks, Camdyn Kyes finished with eight digs and Cailyn Kyes had 20 assists and seven digs.

The run ended for the Jags in the semifinals when they faced Spanish Fort. Spain Park fell into an early hole that turned into a 25-7 first-set loss, and while it rallied to make the second set closer, the Jags lost 25-19 against a fellow Class 6A state title contender. Camdyn Kyes had eight digs to lead the defense.

Spain Park finished the regular season with a 32-7 record. The Jags will now host the Class 6A, Area 8 tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Jag Arena. They will face the Helena Huskies in the semifinals at 4 p.m. for a spot at Super Regionals, and a win would put them in the championship that same night at 7 p.m. against either Chelsea or Pelham.