Lady Canes secure back-to-back region titles

Cartersville volleyball repeated as Region 5-AAAA champions Thursday night at the Storm Center by sweeping to straight set victories over Central-Carroll in the winners’ bracket final and Chapel Hill in the region title match.

The Lady Canes did not lose a set in region play during the 2017 season. A run that included 19 consecutive set wins.

Cartersville topped upstart sixth-seeded Central-Carroll 25-16 and 25-11 in their first match of the night and took down Chapel Hill 25-15, 25-11, 25-17 in the best-of-five finals.

"I'm extremely proud to be Region Champs again,” said Cartersville coach Dustin Cothran. “Winning two straight region titles is a great reward for the hard work the girls have put in.”

Region MVP Catie Heilman was a force in Thursday’s two tournament matches for the Lady Canes.

"Between the two matches, I'd say she had close to 25 kills,” added Cothran. “Our ball control, effort, and attitudes were great again tonight. The crowd was amazing, and we're hoping for the same type of support at home next Thursday in the first round of the playoffs."

CASS VOLLEYBALL SPLITS OPENING MATCHES AT REGION TOURNEY

Cass volleyball split a pair of matches Thursday night at Kell High School to remain alive in the Region 7-AAAAA tournament.

The Lady Colonels lost to Rome 25-17, 25-10 in their tourney opener, but rebounded to defeat East Paulding in straight sets 25-16, 25-21.

Cass (22-15) will return to action Saturday morning at Kell High School against either Carrollton or Hiram.

The top five teams from the tournament will advance to the state tournament.