County volleyball trio reaches North State; New Albany girls win golf regional

Three Union County volleyball teams moved within one victory of a state championship berth Thursday, Oct. 8, as East Union, Ingomar and New Albany swept their third-round opponents. New Albany added a regional girls golf championship, while Myrtle extended its football winning streak.

Ann Fleming LeFlore put down 21 kills as unbeaten East Union swept Hatley on the road, 25–21, 25–18, 25–22. Marley Clayton added 13 kills and Lily Kate Johnson had nine. Lilly Bruce supplied 20 assists and Lyla Brock 17, while Reagan Johnson led the defense with 17 digs. The Urchins meet Walnut in the Class 2A North State final Monday, Oct. 12.

New Albany won at Ripley, 25–10, 25–22, 25–18, behind Allie Keller’s 21 kills. Sara Barton Ozbirn finished with 31 assists and 12 digs, and Annie Bine Bright collected 17 digs. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 31–9 with their sixth consecutive victory and will face Mooreville on Monday in Class 4A.

Ingomar earned its fifth straight win by turning back visiting Pine Grove, 25–20, 25–18, 25–22. The Lady Falcons are 24–7 heading into Monday’s Class 1A North State matchup with Tupelo Christian Prep.

Myrtle’s postseason run ended at Walnut in a 3–0 loss. The Lady Hawks finished 22–8 after advancing past Philadelphia and Baldwyn in the first two playoff rounds.

On the golf course, New Albany’s girls claimed their sixth consecutive regional title at Okolona. Adeline Bailey again earned medalist honors with a below-par round, according to the team’s official account. The Lady Bulldogs have an Oct. 15 tuneup at Oaks Country Club before the state tournament Oct. 19–20 at Dancing Rabbit.

Myrtle’s football team shut out Strayhorn 41–0 on the road, improving to 5–1 overall and 2–0 in district play with its fifth consecutive win. The Hawks return home Oct. 16 against Water Valley.

Friday’s football schedule brings Bruce to East Union and Ripley to New Albany, with both games set for 7 p.m.

Next week’s Union County cross-country championships, hosted by West Union, are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, at the BNA Park Soccer Complex and Tallahatchie Trails in New Albany. The varsity girls’ 5K starts at 2 p.m.; the boys follow at 2:40.