BIRMINGHAM- The sweet experience of making the Volleyball State Tournament ended earlier than what was hope for the Sparkman Senators. Making their first-ever appearance in the AHSAA State Tournament, the Lady Senators fell to No. 1 ranked Spain Park 3-0 in the semi-finals of the Class 7A Tournament at Birmingham’s CrossPlex Arena.

Spain Park (46-4) swept Sparkman by scores of 25-15, 25-10 and 25-19. Senior Aleah Stogner (5-11, OH) had eight kills and eight assists to lead the Lady Senators while Cassie Reasner (5-11, OH, Jr.) added nine digs and six kills and Kemora Coachman (5-11, MB, Sr.) added six kills. Ariel Fuqua (5-7, S, Jr.) was very active for Sparkman with 20 assists and eight digs and Alena Godwin (5-6, RS, Jr.) added seven digs of her own.

Sixth-ranked Sparkman defeated No. 8 Auburn (39-17) in the quarterfinals 3-1 by posting scores of 14-25, 25-20, 25-14 and 25-20. Despite losing the first game, the Senators returned to their true form for the victory and were led by Stogner who had 23 kills, six digs and four blocks and setter Fuqua who added 39 assists, 12 digs, four blocks and two aces. Also contributing to the victory were Coachman who had 11 kills, 10 blocks, five digs and three aces, Reasner with 11 kills, 18 digs and three aces and Godwin who had 15 digs and four aces.

Sparkman was 46-11 during the regular season and hosted the Area Tournament. The squad was undefeated at home on its home court they call The Capitol are were led by head coach Chandler Phillips.