STAFF REPORT
While the Cartersville volleyball team did see its 12-match winning streak end Saturday, the Canes still managed to secure a runner-up finish in the Region 7-5A tournament.

No. 3 seed Cartersville fell twice against top-seeded Blessed Trinity, which hosted all of Saturday’s matches, but swept Calhoun in between to land the region’s second seed.

The Canes, who won a pair of matches Thursday evening in the opening rounds of the region tourney, fell in the winners bracket final to the Titans, 25-13, 25-9.

Ailee England led Cartersville with four kills in the match.

The Canes bounced back with a 25-12, 25-16 triumph against the No. 2 seed Yellow Jackets. Cartersville previously defeated Calhoun in the semifinals Thursday in Gordon County.

England again paced the Canes, finishing with six kills in Saturday’s rematch. Mia Nicklas stepped up with six aces and 14 digs. Lily Gochee handed out 16 assists.

In the championship, Cartersville (25-11) dropped a 25-9, 25-11 decision to Blessed Trinity (42-3), which won the state title in 2020.

The Canes will host Region 5-5A No. 3 seed Northview (17-23) in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs Tuesday at The Storm Center.

Earlier Saturday, fifth-seeded Woodland locked up a state tournament bid for the second straight season.

After going 1-1 in Thursday’s matches, the Wildcats defeated Hiram (25-10, 25-16) to punch their ticket. However, Woodland fell to Calhoun (25-15, 25-22) — which eliminated Cass earlier in the day — to land the region’s No. 4 seed.

Delaney Tuplin compiled nine kills and nine digs across Saturday’s two matches. Anastyn Jones racked up 11 kills, three aces and two digs. Kendall Condon totaled 10 assists, nine digs and four kills.

Woodland (9-32) will head to St. Pius X (47-1) — the top-ranked team in the state across all classifications, per MaxPreps — in the first round of the state tournament.