CLASS 4A: Valley View sweeps Shiloh Christian

— Valley View kept its dynasty alive Saturday at Tiger Arena.

The Lady Blazers swept Shiloh Christian 25-14, 25-14, 25-18 in the Class 4A final to win their sixth state title in eight years.

Valley View, which won state championships every year from 2003-2006, won again in 2008 and lost to Jonesboro Westside in last year’s 4A final. Shiloh Christian (25-5) was playing in its first state title match while the Lady Blazers (31-2) were there for the eighth consecutive year.

“Our seniors, they were here as fifth-graders either watching their sisters or just watching as fans,” said Valley View Coach Margie McGee, who completed her 11th yearwith the Lady Blazers on Saturday. “They said back then they wanted to be a part of that.”

Valley View’s two losses were against Bloomington, Ill., and Hermann, Mo., at the Crossroads Classic, the Lady Blazers’ season-opening tournament in Effingham, Ill.

“Our motto all year has been ‘Handling your business,’ ” McGee said. “I would love to get those two losses back. They were so close. I’d love to get those back to see how we could play against them now.”

Shiloh Christian, which started its program eight years ago, was eliminated by Valley View at the 4A state tournament for the thirdconsecutive year. Valley View beat the Lady Saints in the semifinals each of the past two seasons.

“They’re a little more solid all the way around,” Lady Saints Coach Karen Morris said. “Our seniors were in sync, but for our younger players it was tougher.

“I see them doing well in 5A, 6A, maybe even 7A. They’re one of the best teams in the state. Every year you’ve got to earn your shot at them.”

Senior Savannah Hughes had five kills to lead Valley View (31-2) in the first game. An ace by Shelby Daniel was part of a 5-0 run in the second game that put the Lady Blazers ahead 22-11, and sophomore Megan Mathis finished off the Lady Saints (26-5) with a kill to end Game 2.

Kills by Daniel, Mathisand Hughes gave Valley View three consecutive points to end the tournament.

“The whole time, we always played calm,” Hughes said. “We didn’t get frustrated.”

Hughes, who was named MVP, finished with seven kills and three blocks.

Mathis went 9 for 9 on serves and finished with 14 kills, 13 assists, 8 digs and 1 block. Senior Amy Philamlee added 15 digs, 10 kills and 3 aces for the Lady Blazers.

Sophomore Madison Elliot led Shiloh Christian with 10 digs, and senior Hannah West had five kills.

“This is my sixth year, and we probably won two games that first year,” Morris said. “Each year we get stronger, and this is the strongest team we’ve had yet.”

Sports, Pages 32 on 10/31/2010

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