A berth in the Class 4A semi-finals capped what coach Denise Mattison has called a great run for the Ashville Lady Bulldogs volleyball team.

After breezing past T.R.  Miller in three games in the opening match of the state playoffs, Ashville was defeated by Winston County in the semi-finals.  Winston, ranked second in the state prior to the match, finished as state runner-up.

“I am so excited that this team has done as well as they have,” Mattison said.  “I have three seniors – Jacie Tipton, Kristen O’Barr, and Brittany Whisenhunt – that have been such fantastic leaders for the other girls.  They have been my rock throughout the whole season.  The other girls have responded so well and have been able to handle a lot of pressure and have done so with such class.  Our accomplishments speak for themselves.”

The tenth-ranked Lady Bulldogs ended the season with a 40-10 record as the Area 10 champion, Region C runner-up, and Sub-State champion, advancing to the Elite Eight and the Final Four.  The team won the Moody Invitational and St. Clair County Tournament and was runner-up in the Geraldine Invitational.  

“I would never be able to do what I do without coach Dale Beason,” Mattison said.  “The parents have been fantastic to work with, and I could not ask for a better group of kids from Ashville High School that has been there and supported us throughout the season.”

Season stats (126 games):

Kristen O’Barr:  408 kills, 19 assists, 52 aces, 202 digs, 95 blocks

Jacie Tipton:  59 kills, 1,033 assists, 53 aces, 101 digs, 2 blocks

Brittany Whisenhunt:  134 kills, 12 assists, 60 aces, 43 digs, 93 blocks

Destiny Montgomery:  9 kills, 2 assists, 45 aces, 341 digs, 1 block

Ebonie Brooks:  281 kills, 1 assist, 26 aces, 203 digs, 25 blocks

Jenny Howard:  106 kills, 24 assists, 25 aces, 128 digs, 14 blocks

Autumn Swearengin:  235 kills, 2 digs, 155 blocks