HAMILTON, Ga. -- Harris County trailed 10-8 in the deciding Game 5 Thursday but rallied behind the service of Lindsey Hurst to defeat Warner Robins 15-10 to win the Class AAAAA state tournament match 3-2.
The Demons won the opening game 25-23. The Tigers trailed 15-10 in that game but came back on four service points, including an ace from Katie Blanchard, to pull within 15-14.
Harris County won two straight games to take a 2-1 game lead, 25-22, 25-11.
"My girls are fighters," Harris County coach Rob Grant said. "We're not very tall, but we're real scrappy."
Hurst began Game 2 with five service points, including two aces, to put the Tigers up 5-0.
This time Harris County led 15-10 before a Warner Robins rally on Christina Murray's serve pulled the Demons within 17-15..
Game 3 was the most lopsided of the night as the Tigers turned a 14-10 lead into a 25-11 victory. Lexie Mickle had 8 straight service points to take the lead to 23-10. Sarah Howard had the final service point that was capped on Blanchard's kill for the victory.
Warner Robins won another tight game to tie the match at 2-2 with a 25-22 victory.
The final game was contested to 15 points. The game remained tight with the largest lead being 6-3 on Blanchard's kill until a 10-10 score. Hurst took over the service with Harris County leading 11-10 and won four straight service points, which were aided by Lauren Hendrix's block and kill on the final point for the 15-10 win.
Hendrix led Harris County in kills with 18 to improve her total for the season to 258.The Tigers will host a second-round match Tuesday. Time and opponent have not been determined.
Thursday at Hamilton
Warner Robins 25 22 11 25 10
Harris County 23 25 25 22 15
Leaders: Warner Robins Kate Hill 8 kills, block, 2 aces; Megan Hill 8 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces; Harris County Lauren Hendrix 18 kills, 4 blocks; Sarah Howard 15 kills, 2 aces; Emily Koutsky 7 kills, 3 aces
