Chamblee’s Jade Watson (2) goes for the kill against Decatur in the Lady Bulldogs Sweet 16 victory of the Class 5A state playoffs. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The Chamblee Lady Bulldogs put together a strong performance to sweep the Decatur Lady Bulldogs 3-0 in the second round of the Class 5A State Volleyball Playoffs at Chamblee on Tuesday night.
Chamblee was 1-2 on the season against Decatur having won at Decatur in a season opening playdate, but Decatur had come back to take two matches on Chamblee’s home court, including the finals of the DCSD Spikefest.
Chamblee (28-11) got out to a quick start in the opening game leading by as much as eight points on a pair of occasions including 19-11 on a put away by Hannah Cain.
Becca Evans big kill made it a 24-16 lead late. Decatur managed three consecutive points to close the gap to 24-19 before Chamblee got the game winner.
The second game had Decatur (34-11) jumping in front 10-4 before another Evans kill and a nice touch shot into the open court by Rachel Loftus got Chamblee back on track following a timeout.
The game was tied at 12-12 and with some great saves and shots on both sides the lead changed hands three times and was tied four times including at 18-18.
After winning a point to take a 19-18 lead Cain went to serve and a nice ace to the corner made it 21-18 before Decatur answered. Decatur would pull within 22-20, but Chamblee would never trail again with Evans putting away an assist from Loftus for the game winner and a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match.
Decatur jumped out 3-0 in the third game only to have Chamblee battle back to take the lead at 6-5 on a put away by Natalie Roberts off another nice assist by Loftus.
Chamblee led by as much as four twice (10-6 and 13-9) before Decatur rallied to within 13-12. Chamblee answered by scoring six of the next seven points to go up 19-13.
A shot into the net started a Decatur rally to tie the game at 19-19. Jade Watson’s kill with an assist from Loftus gave Chamblee the lead for good at 20-19 as the host Lady Bulldogs reeled off the final six points of the match to advance.
Evans shot off the Decatur front line fell to the floor to end the game and match 25-20.
Coach Lorri Reynolds club moves into the Elite 8 for the second consecutive season and travel to McIntosh (28-3) on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 3:00 pm for a shot at the program’s second Final Four appearance.
DCSD VOLLEYBALL STATE PLAYOFFS
Tuesday, Oct. 17
CLASS 5A – Second Round
Chamblee (28-11) 3, Decatur (34-11) 0
Saturday, Oct. 21
CLASS 5A – Third Round
Chamblee (28-11) vs. McIntosh (28-3), 3:00 pm