Wirt County's Katherine Lemley keeps a ball alive versus Greenbrier West in the Class A state semifinals (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

INSTITUTE – The Greenbrier West volleyball program is going to play for a state championship.

Here late Monday evening at W.Va. State University, the Cavaliers of second-year head coach Joe Robertson managed to fend off Wirt County 25-23, 25-23 and 25-22 in a Class A semifinal.

The Tigers of fifth-year head coach Katie Frazier, who were led by Addie Stephens’ 12 kills, libero Makayla Moore’s match-high 16 digs and setter Breigyn Dawson’s double-double of 14 assists and 10 digs, finished the campaign at 28-13 as the No. 3 seed.

Second-seeded Greenbrier West, which has made the state tournament each of the past eight seasons but hadn’t advanced past the quarterfinals, will carry a 30-5 record into the 11 a.m. Tuesday state title match versus top-seeded East Hardy (30-9).

“All credit to Greenbrier West,” admitted coach Frazier, who got two downed spikes apiece from Peyten McKown, Izzy Speece and Brooklin Mills with Moore and Dawson going for a quartet of aces each along with Stephens and Jasmine Williams tallying a trio of aces each.

Wirt County's Addie Stephens records an ace during the third set of the Class A semifinal versus Greenbrier West. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“They were aggressive and really wanted it tonight. We had some injuries and sickness but they kept the pressure on us and we couldn’t get in system. We didn’t capitalize when we needed to and we let unforced errors cost us.”

The orange and black had 19 serve-receive errors as well as 17 attacks errors.

Paige Dean, who double-doubled with 11 digs, tied Stephens for match-high kill honors. Preslee Treadway had seven kills for the Cavaliers, who got four downed spikes by Prestlie Shrewsberry and three from Ava Price.

“It was a great match,” said coach Robertson, who got a match-high 22 assists from Maddie Sweet as well as match-highs of five aces apiece by Dean and Treadway.

“We knew what they were going to do. They were going to feed her (Stephens) and we were set up to try and stop that, and I thought we did a pretty good job.”

The opening set featured 11 ties and six lead changes as the Tigers were up 20-18 before the Cavaliers made a run to go up 23-20 following an ace by Dean. WCHS closed it to within one at 24-23 on a Moore ace, but Price registered a kill on set point.

GWHS bolted out to a 10-5 cushion in set two only to have the Tigers eventually take the lead at 15-14 following a Bella Starcher ace and a Stephens block of Dean. Even though the Cavs went back in front at 16-15, Stephens had a kill and then Dawson followed with four straight aces for a 20-16 advantage.

However, the Tigers weren’t able to close out the set. Although another ace by Moore made it 22-17, Greenbrier West scored eight of the last nine points, including the final two, on a pair of attack errors.

“The second (set) we started out up pretty big and then we let them back in and they took the lead,” added coach Robertson. “I called timeout and we came back and won that one and it was huge.”

The Tigers didn’t take their first lead in the must-win third set until the Cavs had an attack error at 17-16. Despite an ace by Moore, which made it 19-17, the Cavs were able to rally and finished it off. Libero Megan Griffith, who had 14 digs, served for match point thanks to a Dean kill.

“This year has been a really fun year with a great group of girls,” added coach Frazier. “They come in every day ready to work and they’re just fun to be around.

“”With everyone returning and a few additions that will be ready to step in and help out, we’re excited about it. We’re really looking forward to next year and to see what we can do and hopefully make it back to that second day.”