Print

2024 TSSAA State Volleyball Tournament

Day One Recaps

5Star Preps coverage area teams

CLASS AAA

MARYVILLE — The Lady Rebels didn’t have the impressive overall record coming into the Class AAA state tournament that others had, but Maryville (23-16) still impressed on Day One. It cruised past East Hamilton (30-9) in three sets: 25-20, 25-19, 25-17. East Hamilton was no rookie to this stage, as it finished Class AA state runner-up in 2021 and 2022 and then played in the Class AAA state tournament last fall. Maryville had experience, too — having made its fifth consecutive state tournament appearance this week. But Tuesday’s win by the Lady Rebels was their first opening-round win at state since 2020. Getting off to a good start is paramount in this tournament’s format, and Maryville led big in both the second and third sets Tuesday against East Hamilton, not allowing the Lady Canes to even come close to mounting a serious threat of a rally.

Maryville will play at noon Central time Wednesday against either Collierville (38-7) or Brentwood (36-10). The match will be played at host-site Rockvale High School.

FARRAGUT — After winning district, region and sectional titles this postseason and reaching state for the first time since 2016, the Farragut Lady Admirals dropped their tournament-opener in three sets. Farragut jumped to a 16-11 lead in the first set but Houston (31-9) quickly reversed the course of the match, took full command and won 25-23, 25-19 and 25-14.  The Lady Admirals (29-6) offered some hope of trying to mount a comeback when it led 7-5 in the third set, but Houston stormed back and closed the frame in dominant fashion.

Houston is a seasoned program when it comes to state, as it made its 14th consecutive appearance this week. It will advance in the winner’s bracket to play Nolensville (36-6) while Farragut drops into an elimination game — at 2:30 p.m. Central time Wednesday against Blackman (19-14). Should Farragut win its game Wednesday, it would have to win three matches Thursday just to reach Friday’s championship match.

CLASS AA

ANDERSON COUNTY — If Anderson County is to win its first state volleyball championship since 1999, or even make it back to the state final like it did in 2020, its road will be an arduous one. The Lady Mavs dropped their opening match of the Class AA state tournament on Tuesday, falling in four sets to Signal Mountain — 25-13, 22-25, 25-18, 25-17. The defeat relegates AC into the losers bracket, where it will not only have to win on Wednesday but also three matches on Thursday to reach Friday’s season finale.

Anderson County (26-13) plays at 5 p.m. Central time Wednesday against Gibbs (24-11) in an elimination match. Though they’re just 20 miles apart, Gibbs and AC will be playing each other for the first time this season on Wednesday.

GIBBS — The first state tournament volleyball match for Gibbs in 15 years didn’t go so well, as the Lady Eagles fell to an experienced Dyer County squad in three sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-9). Dyer County (35-7) advances into the winners bracket while Gibbs (24-11) will play at 5 p.m. Central on Wednesday in an elimination match against Anderson County (26-13).