MADISON- The James Clemens junior varsity volleyball team recently reached the pinnacle of local competition by competing in the finals of the annual Bob Jones JV Volleyball Tournament where they lost in a hard-fought battle versus Brentwood Academy from just outside of Nashville, Tenn. The Lady Jets fell to the Eagles 20-25, 22-25.

Fifteen teams from both Alabama and Tennessee converged onto the playing courts at Bob Jones for the bracket and pool play of the action-packed day-long tournament.

“We had a long day at the tournament and they fought each game. I’m so proud of the players they are becoming,” said Jets’ coach Drea Matthews.

To reach the finals, James Clemens won four out of five matches, which were extremely close in scoring. The Jets defeated John Paul II (25-20, 25-21), Madison Academy (25-21, 17-25, 15-9), Sparkman (25-19, 25-23) and Huntsville (25-14, 25-19. In between the victories, the Lady Jets fell to the Brentwood Eagles 19-25, 21-25. James Clemens fought through the losing bracket to advance to the finals for a second meeting with the Eagles.

Led by coaches Anna Clair Johnson and Matthews, James Clemens is comprised of the team roster featuring Maysa Benvenuti (Fr.), April Burgess (Fr.), Taylor Gleason (So.), Meygan Hyatt (So.), Emily Richardson (So.), Erica Sandlin (So.), Brianna Smith (Fr.), Alexys Walle (Jr.) and Maura Woosley (Fr.).

“We have a great group of athletes who love to play and it shows. They are always working hard and bettering themselves,” added Matthews.

The 2019 regular season runs through mid-October.