GAINESVILLE — Area 7-AAA and No. 1-ranked North Hall spiked its way into the Elite 8 of the Class AAA girls volleyball tournament Tuesday at the North Hall gym.
The Lady Trojans fought off East Jackson 25-16, 25-12, and 25-17 to advance in a three-game sweep. They will await the resseding for the championshp bracket, which is scheduled to begin Saturday at Holy Innocents' in Atlanta.
Lily Paschall had 30 assists, 3 kills, and 13 digs while Melissa DeVerter added 11 kills, 6 blocks, 3 aces, and 4 digs to lead North Hall. Autumn Tucker had 13 kills, 6 digs, and 1 ace, Lena Strickland had 10 digs, and Caroline Brady had 2 kills and 2 digs for the Lady Trojans.
Savannah Miller had 4 kills, Madison Brock had 2 kills and 2 digs, and Maci Gillespie added 5 digs for North Hall.
JACKSON COUNTY SWEEPS EAST HALL
Area 8-AAA champion Jackson County also advanced to the Elite 8 of the Class AAA tournament with a tough 3-0 sweep of East Hall Tuesday in the second round.
The Lady Panthers held off the Lady Vikings 25-19, 25-18, 25-21 at home.
With the loss East Hall finished its season at 31-18.
For East Hall, Savannah Thellman led the way with 5 points scored on serve with 3 aces, 9 digs, 1 kill and 26 assists. Niyah Rucker had 1 point scored on serve with 2 digs, 3 blocks and 13 kills, Holly Poole had 6 points scored on serve with 2 aces, 18 digs and 7 kills, and Summer Lindsey added 6 points scored on serve with 25 digs for the Lady Vikings.
Tessa Rider scored 7 points on serve with 1 ace, 10 digs, 1 block and 4 kills, Janelly Lara scored 5 the Lady Vikings with 26 digs, and Macy Thomas had 5 kills, 2 digs and 2 blocks for East Hall.
BUFORD SWEEPS INTO AAAAA ELITE 8
Class AAAAA defending state champion Buford moved through to the Elite 8 round Tuesday with a dominating sweep of Hiram in the second round.
The Lady Wolves rolled a 3-0 sweep by 25-1, 25-17, and 25-13 scores.
Tatum Shipes led Buford with 16 kills and 8 digs. Stella Alverson added 23 assists and Halston Hillier had 8 kills for the Lady Wolves.
The Class AAAAA Elite 8 matches will begin Saturday at Marietta High School.
