Valwood Valiants volleyball defeated Monsignor Donovan and Oak Mountain Academy to advance to the semifinals of the GISA Volleyball State Tournament on Friday.

The Valiants defeated Monsignor Donovan in their first game, beating them in three sets (25-9, 25-12, 25-10). Next came the Oak Mountain Warriors, the 2017 state runner-up. The Valiants started the first set slowly, allowing the Warriors to dominate the serve and eventually fell 25-10. 

After regrouping in between sets, Valiants finally found their fire, playing relentless defense and only making one error. With their new found  momentum, the Valiants captured the second and third set, putting them up two sets to one. 

In the fourth set, the two teams exchanged points back and forth until a series of errors at the end helped the Oak Mountain Warriors capture Set 4. Unfazed and hungry, the Valiants stormed the court in the fifth set looking to secure their position in the semifinals. 

Freshman Ellie Griner went on a 9-point run, giving the Valiants the early advantage in the deciding set. The Valiants offense, led by senior Erin Moss, pounded the Warriors into frustration. Once again, the Valiants defense gave a total effort and the Valiants emerged victorious, winning 15-5. 

State leaders for the Valiants include: Erin Moss (22 kills, four aces, eight digs, and five blocks); Kennedy Kimbro (Seven digs and 43 assists); Makayla Yates (Three kills and five digs); Nicole Manwell (Two aces and four digs); Anna Alvarado (Nine digs) and Gracyn Sanderlin (10 kills). 

The Valiants move on to play Augusta Prep in the semifinals of the GISA state tournament on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.