Lady Canes sweep Richmond Academy, will host state Final Four match Tuesday

For what is believed to be the first time in school history, the Lady Canes’ volleyball team has reached the Final Four of the state playoffs.

Cartersville swept past Richmond Academy in three straight sets Saturday in Augusta to win their quarterfinal match, 3-0.

“We started slowly,” said Cartersville coach Dutch Cothran. “We were down 19-10 in the first set before we stepped up and started playing.”

The Lady Canes came from behind to win that opening set 26-24 and then took the next two sets 25-17 and 25-16.

“They (Richmond Academy) were good defensively, but we spotted some openings and capitalized on them,” Cothran continued. “They had the best servers we’ve faced, so I’m proud of the job our serve receive did today.”

Anna Grace Brock (photo) had a big day for Cartersville with 16 kills, eight digs, and three service aces.

“Anna Grace Brock had the best match of her young career,” added Cothran. “ She seemed to put balls down in bunches from the outside. Nedu Evans and Bekah Stevens also had big days for us. Grace Hunter also set a great match and had some great swings when we needed them most.”

Evans contributed 11 kills, seven digs, and six aces. Stevens (photo) totaled 11 kills and five digs, while Hunter finished with 38 assists and three aces.

Cartersville, now 26-11, will host St. Pius on Tuesday at The Storm Center in the Final Four. St. Pius defeated Northside-Columbus in three straight sets Saturday in the quarterfinals.

The other Class AAAA semifinal Tuesday will feature Marist at Columbus. Both of those teams swept their quarterfinal opponents Saturday. Marist beat Woodward Academy and Columbus defeated Northwest Whitfield.