MADISON- One step at a time. That’s exactly how the Bob Jones volleyball team approached the 2022 campaign as the Lady Patriots took small steps to success behind first-year head coach Jenny Jarrett. The squad put all efforts forward and took one big step towards a possible state championship by winning the Class 7A Area 7 Championship and now look to its next step in the Super Regionals at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.

In the Area title match, the Patriots faced crosstown rival James Clemens (18-34) and came away with 3-nothing shutout of the Jets. Final scores were 25-15, 25-22, 25-13.

Bob Jones (46-6) will now face Vestavia Hills (29-9) in a Thursday morning matchup in round one of the North Super Regional. James Clemens also advanced and will tangle with Hoover (33-15).

“It was an exciting night. Even though we had beaten James Clemens a couple times earlier in the season, that matchup is always a tough rivalry game,” said Jarrett. “Our girls stepped up against the Jets and played as a team. All-Area selections included Kennedy Vaughn, Riley Lovell, Meg Jarrett and Rachel Mecklenburg.”

The Lady Patriots have just two seniors on the roster and knew going into the 2022 schedule with a new coach their success was always a work in progress.

“This season has been special as what makes this team special is their amazing chemistry,” said Jarrett. “They truly celebrate each other on every play. Our two seniors, Alaina Obianozie and Sadie Hall have done a great job as leaders. This team has a lot of fun together and that helps them play better.”

Elsewhere in Area Tournaments, No. 6 Sparkman (43-11) was shutout 3-nothing by Huntsville (33-11) in Area 8. The top 10 ranked Lady Senators were handled by the Panthers by scores of 25-13, 25-15, 26-24. Sparkman will advance to the Super Regional and face Hoover (33-15) in round one.

In Class 5A, top-ranked Westminster Christian (40-9) defeated No. 5 Madison Academy (30-21) in three games by scores of 25-10, 25-17, 25-10. The losing Mustangs will now look to Alexandria (40-12) in round one of the Super Regional.