Jefferson High closed the area tournament on Saturday as the runner-up in Area 8-A/AA.
After the Lady Dragons dropped their first match of the day to Athens Academy (15-25, 20-25), they fell to the loser’s bracket to take on North Oconee.
Jefferson (31-9, 6-2 8-A/AA) easily took the first game, but the two teams battled into a third-game tiebreaker. The Lady Dragons came out on top in the third game and the match (25-13, 20-25, 25-22).
The win set up a rematch with Athens Academy for the Area championship, and also assured the Lady Dragons home-court advantage on Wednesday in the opening round of the state tournament.
Jefferson dropped the final match to Athens Academy (17-25, 18-25, 25-22).
The Lady Dragons were led by Cassie Metcalf (seven aces, 22 kills and seven digs), Amanda Daniel (five aces, two kills and 72 assists) and Taylor Cramsey (four aces and 27 kills).
Those three, along with Eden Starnes, were named to the All-Area team. Sarah Wood and Savanna Holland were honorable mentions for the team.
BUFORD TAKES SECOND IN AREA TOURNAMENT: The Buford volleyball team also took second in the Area 4-A/AA tournament on Saturday.
The Lady Wolves (23-13, 7-3) fell to Greater Atlanta Christian in the championship game (9-25, 18-25, 10-25).
They were led in the losing effort by Maggie Roper (six kills, 14 digs), Jessica Falletta (six kills, nine digs) and Bailey Hicks (12 assists). All three girls were named to the All-Area team.
Buford plays next on Wednesday at home in the first round of the state tournament.
LADY FALCON’S SEASON COMES TO AN END: Flowery Branch volleyball lost two matches on Saturday to eliminate it from the area tournament short of the required fourth-place finish needed to advance to state.
The Lady Falcons lost to Clarke Central in their first match (27-25, 25-11) to send them to the loser’s bracket where they fell to Heritage in two games.
Setter McKenzie Grewett led Flowery Branch with a combined 10 assists and seven kills in the two matches. Outside hitter Brittani Hill added a kill and five digs in the second match. Both girls were named to the All-Area team.