CARTERSVILLE — With a beautiful spike between three defenders on the final point, Sydney Austin gave the Buford girls volleyball team its first state title since 2016.
The Lady Wolves knocked off Pope 25-16, 19-25, 25-13, 25-21 in the Class 6A finals Saturday afternoon at the Lakepoint Sports Complex.
In a text response, long-time Buford coach Hadli Daniels said this one was special.
"It's been such an emotional day with all that the parents did to send us off, and a special good luck video that old players, parents, teachers, and coaches made for the girls," Daniels said. "I am just in another world right now. This team has the best chemistry of any team I have coached and played for each other today. I have never been more proud!"
Buford (33-2) came in as slight underdogs against the Lady Greyhounds (31-2) who were looking for their second title in three years. Pope had knocked off defending state champion Sequoyah in the semifinals and was riding an 18-match win streak.
However, the Lady Wolves came out strong to grab the first set. Pope answered back in the second set but Buford ramped up its offense behind Grace Adams, Mikayla Hayden, and Ashley Sturzoiu.
With Adams setting the table, Hayden and Sturzoiu found the seams in the Pope defense for a dominating 25-13 third set. They won the final three points to seal the win.
Austin's match-clincher was part of 8 kills for the sophomore and part of an balanced offensive attack. Sturzoiu had 14 kills, Hayden finished with 12 kills, and Kiana Polk had 10 kills. Camryn Carlton had 9 kills while Macy Upshaw had 41 digs, one of which kept the final point alive to set up Austin. Grace Adams set up the offense with 52 assists.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/11/953956/state-champs-buford-spikes-pope-to-win-6a-volleyball