By TRIPP NORRIS

In a rematch of last year’s tournament, Opp’s Bobcats and Straughn’s Tigers battled for the class 3A area 3 championship, this time on Opp’s home court.

Game one was tight, with Opp taking a slim 10-8 lead midway through the contest. Two straight rallies for three points each put Opp ahead, 16-12. That was followed by two more rallies for four points each that gave the Lady Bobcats the win in game one, 25-16.

The Lady Bobcats seemed in control of game two as they led 23-18 in the late stages. Straughn came back to take a one-point lead, scoring six straight points to go ahead 24-23. Both teams were unable to put the other away until the score was tied 27-27. Opp scored the next two points to win game two, 29-27, and needed just one more win.

The final game was also close with Straughn taking a 16-13 lead. Then a six-point rally changed the momentum, as Opp led 19-16. The Lady Bobcats were close to winning the area and led 24-19 and appeared to have the area championship won. A net call gave Straughn new life as they trailed 24-20. The next play saw the ball go out of bounds. After an officials’ discussion, Opp was awarded the point and won game three, 25-20, and the area championship.

Both teams secured a spot in the Super Regionals in Montgomery on Friday after winning their first match of the day. Opp swept Slocomb (25-12, 25-20, 25-15) and Straughn swept Geneva (25 -17, 25-13, 25-15).

For the tournament Opp’s Maggie Short had 21 kills and five aces. Haylee Brundidge had 13 digs and four aces. Addie Jacobs had eight blocks and Bailee Boyd had 45 assists.

Opp improves to 23-5 on the season while Straughn is now 21-11 as both teams head to regionals this Friday at the Cramton Bowl complex in Montgomery.