Phil Campbell, runner-up in area tourney, advances to Class 3A North Regional

The Phil Campbell High School varsity volleyball team advanced to the AHSAA Class 3A North Regional for the second straight season after finishing runner-up in the Area 15 Tournament last week. PCHS was the lone volleyball program in Franklin County to advance to regionals after Belgreen, Red Bay, Russellville, and Tharptown were all defeated in the opening matches of their respective area tournaments.

The Lady Bobcats swept Colbert County 3-0 in the semifinals of the Area 15 tournament before they were themselves swept by Colbert Heights in the championship round.

“Colbert Heights, they performed better on defense, and we couldn’t really set it up the way we wanted to,” second-year Phil Campbell head coach Julianna Taylor said. “Our passing was okay, but as far as setting up the ball and putting a ball down, I feel like Colbert Heights outperformed us in that aspect.

“We hustled, we didn’t give up, and I feel like that’s a positive, but we definitely have to really focus on serve receive and just the setting the ball up and being able to put a ball down going into regionals,” Taylor added.

Going into the first round of the North Regional, which will be held at the Hoover Met Complex, Taylor said her team has been playing selfless volleyball and it’s helped the Lady Bobcats achieve success this season.

“We’ve been playing together more as a team,” she said. “We’re not playing just for ourselves, we’re playing for our teammates, and I think that’s been a really huge thing for us. It’s not about ourselves, it’s about playing for our team.”

Phil Campbell will face the Winfield Lady Pirates in the first round in Hoover on Thursday. Last season the Lady Bobcats advanced to the second round of the North Regional; to do the same this year, Taylor said communication, commitment, and confidence will all be important factors.

“We definitely need to communicate more,” she said. “Not hesitating, going after everything will be huge. Going after everything and giving 110 percent no matter what. No matter where the ball is at on the court, I expect them to be diving on the floor and just giving it everything they’ve got.

“Any team we play is beatable if we all play to our potential,” she added. “Going into regionals, it’s everyone’s game at this point. Going in with confidence and believing in ourselves is definitely going to be key for us.

“I’m proud of these girls, and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

First serve between Phil Campbell and Winfield is set for 1:30 P.M. on Thursday.