By Mike Easterling

MADISON – The Lady Patriots, who will play their first home match of the season Thursday when they take on city rival James Clemens and Hartselle in a tri-match, took their latest journey to Florida to play in the Nike Tournament of Champions Southeast at Gainesville’s Alachua County Sports and Events Center last weekend.

Bob Jones, which a week prior finished as runner-up in the Juanita Boddie Tournament in Hoover and lost just two sets in its first 13 matches, started slowly in the Sunshine State but finished strong amidst a stout 84-team field spread out over National, Premier and Elite divisions.

Class 7A Bob Jones (16-3) played a Florida team in all six of its matches, going 1-2 in pool play Friday. The Lady Patriots opened with a 25-21, 25-20 loss to 7A DeLand in the event billed as the top tournament in the Southeast. The Lady Patriots, playing in the premier division, bounced back in their second match and defeated Leon (Tallahassee) 25-15, 25-19 but then dropped an 18-25, 25-15, 15-13 decision to Middleburg.

Saturday, Bob Jones swept Winter Haven 25-16, 25-22; Merritt Island 25-17, 25-14; and Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) 25-22, 25-23. The Patriots then headed back to Alabama with positive vibes after the 4-2 tournament finish.

“I really think it definitely helps us,’’ Bob Jones head coach Jenny Jarrett said. “We lost a couple of games on Friday, but they were quality teams, and I think it gave us a chance to look at some different options that we have and definitely see some things that we need to work on. So, it was definitely good for us.’’

DeLand went 6-0 in the Premier bracket. Meanwhile, defending Florida 7A state champion Plant (Tampa) won the National bracket, defeating McGill-Toolen along the way. The loss was the first of the season for the Dirty Dozen, who went on to finish 1-6 in the top National bracket.

Heading into the Florida tournament, statistical leaders for Bob Jones included senior outside hitter Kennedy Vaughn (4.6 kills per set), junior outside hitter Kendall Buckley (3.4 kills), senior setter Riley Lovell (380 total assists), senior defensive specialist/libero Kalison Beigh (176 digs) and junior middle hitter/setter Mya Lacey (36 kills).

The Patriots next take the court when the Jets visit Thursday in a trimatch with Hartselle that starts at 4 p.m. While Bob Jones and James Clemens are both members of 7A, Area 7 this match will not count in the league standings.

“We definitely don’t want to have a sleeping moment,’’ said Jarrett, who moved to No. 1 overall in MaxPreps’ state rankings to supplant McGill-Toolen that fell to No. 4. “So, we’ll get back in the gym Tuesday and start preparing for JC, and hopefully they’ll have had time to rest up and be ready.’’