Sale Creek defeated Boyd-Buchanan in five sets last year to win the Region 3-A volleyball title at Sale Creek.

The Lady Bucs returned the favor Tuesday evening at Silverdale, but they only needed four sets to claim the victory.

Boyd-Buchanan will host Jackson County on Thursday while Sale Creek will travel to Friendship Christian.

Sale Creek won the opening set by a 25-20 final before Boyd-Buchanan won the next three by closer scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-20.

The Lady Bucs will be at home for a sectional match on Thursday while the Lady Panthers will have to take that dreaded road trip to Lebanon to face defending state champion Friendship Christian.

It was a spirited gymnasium as both teams played their hearts out.  It's too bad that either one had to lose as both have outstanding teams.

Boyd-Buchanan coach Ashley Rose had a great big smile on her face when the final point had been scored.

"I think I was more nervous today than I was when I got married on August 18.  And I don't have much voice left," she began while the awards were being presented.

"I know it sounds corny, but our team unity was the key to our win today.  We stayed together and we played together.  I told my girls after losing the first set that it was a long way from over.  We didn't play our best in that first set as we weren't doing what we do best.

"Once we got back on track, we were good to go.  Our goals all year have been to win district, win region and stay away from Friendship Christian.  Now if we can win on Thursday, we'll accomplish another goal of going back to the state tournament," she added.

Sale Creek coach Debbie Hill was doing her best to keep the lid on an emotional group when the match ended.  Obviously, it didn't end the way they had planned.

"They beat us three in a row at the end, but I felt like it was a closer match than that.  We just didn't do the little things we needed to do as they took advantage of our weaknesses.  We didn't do a very good job blocking up front.  If we could have taken some of the pressure off defensively, we may have been okay, but we never got there.

"We never could get over the hump today.  We let them take control in the second set as they hit it extremely hard and their defense was outstanding.  I feel like the second set was the turning point and I felt like we were in trouble when we lost that one as our entire demeanor changed.

"Yes, we're disappointed as we didn't play our best match, although we played well at times.  We just weren't able to put it all together.  We'll practice tomorrow and try to regroup.  We have a huge challenge ahead on Thursday.  Friendship Christian has an outstanding team, but if we play like we're capable, who knows what will happen," Hill added.

Sale Creek scored the final three points to win the first set, but the Lady Bucs started shifting the momentum to their side as soon as the second set began.  Boyd-Buchanan led most of the way, but the Lady Panthers had their first lead at 18-17 following a block by Mikayla Crowder.

The score was tied five times after that with the last deadlock being at 23, but the Lady Bucs got a kill from Mandi Jones to take the lead and they claimed the set when a Sale Creek return went into the net.

The third and fourth sets were also close, but the Lady Bucs always seemed to have an answer every time the Lady Panthers got close.

Jones earned tournament MVP honors after recording 14 digs and 12 kills while serving a pair of aces.

Madison Howard was also impressive with 10 digs and 12 kille while Kristen Reynolds had 18 digs and 26 assists.  Lindsey Yates had a good match with 24 assists, seven digs and three aces.

Erin Hill was the leader for Sale Creek with 24 kills and 28 digs.  She also had two assists, two aces and four blocks.

Megan Storey finished with 32 assists and eight digs while Krissy Hodge had 14 kills.

While Boyd-Buchanan is now 29-13, Sale Creek slips to 32-16.

REGION 3-A ALL-TOURNAMENT SELECTIONS: Kerri Whittaker (Silverdale); Hayley McBee (Lookout Valley); Megan Storey, Krissy Hodge, Erin Hill (Sale Creek); Lindsey Yates, Madison Howard, Katie Delay, Mandi Jones -- MVP (Boyd-Buchanan).

SALE CREEK STATS:

Sam Wilkinson -- 1 kill, 2 assists, 1 block;

Erin Hill -- 24 kills, 28 digs, 2 assists, 2 aces, 4 blocks;

Bailey Pugh -- 2 digs;

Miranda Barnette -- 1 ace;

Krissy Hodge -- 14 kills, 3 digs, 3 blocks;

Regan Garrett -- 3 digs;

Mikayla Crowder -- 1 dig, 2 blocks;

Megan Storey -- 1 kill, 8 digs, 32 assists, 1 ace, 1 block;

Brooke Welch -- 7 digs.

BOYD-BUCHANAN STATS:

Mandi Jones -- 14 digs, 12 kills, 2 aces;

Jessica Kirk -- 9 digs, 12 kills;

Lauren Van Eaton -- 4 kills;

Kristen Reynolds -- 18 digs, 7 kills, 26 assists, 1 ace;

Sarah Cupp -- 8 digs;

Lindsey Yates -- 7 digs, 24 assists, 3 aces;

Madison Howard -- 10 digs, 12 kills;

Sydney Spencer -- 5 digs, 8 kills;

Katie Delay -- 37 digs.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@comcast.net)