Brentwood volleyball back in state tournament with chance at four-peat

While its 46 victories might make it seem like just another season for the Brentwood volleyball program, this year hasn’t exactly been routine for the 11-time state champions, winners of the past three TSSAA Class AAA state championships.

Brentwood sophomore Logan Eggleston

“It has been a little different,” said Brentwood coach Barbara Campbell, whose squad secured its fifth consecutive Class AAA state tournament appearance with Thursday’s 25-13, 25-7, 25-5 sectional victory over Wilson Central.

The Lady Bruins (46-4) were forced to played without one of their top players — Logan Eggleston — for the first 23 matches of the season as the sophomore standout was ineligible to compete for Brentwood while a member of the USA Girl’s Youth National team.

“That changed the lineup a little bit,” said Campbell, whose squad posted a 20-3 record without Eggleston. “Different people had to shoulder more responsibility. And when Lo’ came back, the responsibilities kind of shifted again.”

Eggleston helped lead Team USA to a silver medal finish at the North, Central America and Caribbean Conference championships. She has boasted a team-leading 4.7 kill-per-set average since making her return on Sept. 9.

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“I was ineligible for the first half of the season so for the first round of district games I wasn’t here. For the second round of games I was back and the team finally got all together,” said Eggleston.

“It has been a little different, but we’re still the Lady Bruins and they’ve worked hard and played hard for me,” Campbell added. “They’re ready, ready to go to the state tournament. We’re starting to smell the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

Goodpasture 3, Grace Baptist 1: Lilly Dennison recorded 14 kills to lead Goodpasture. Jaleigh Rogan recorded 38 assists. Goodpasture has won the past three Class A state titles and the 2012 Class AA title.

Siegel 3, Cookeville 2: Siegel (41-8) reached the Class AAA state tournament for the fourth straight season after coming back from 24-22 down in the fourth set to force a fifth and dominating the fifth set 15-8. Leah Poarch had 33 kills, including the final two points of the fourth set.

Ravenwood 3, Portland 1: Skye Myers recorded 13 kills and had three solo blocks to pace the Lady Raptors (25-12) to the Class AAA state tournament. Emma House and Kennedy Dickens each added 10 kills for Ravenwood.

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-269-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports .