Murfreesboro area fall sports postseason top performers: Oakland soccer falls at state
WEDNESDAY
Oakland's girls soccer team had their season come to an end with a 2-1 loss to Ravenwood in the Class AAA state soccer tournament quarterfinals Wednesday.
The Lady Patriots (15-2-1) held a 1-0 lead at halftime, thanks to a goal in the 38th minute when Leah Krugh scored off a header by Aireona Duenez on a play that began with a Bethany Buckley free kick.
However, Ravenwood tied things in the 53rd minute on a penalty kick by Abigail Dibble and then took the lead in the 72nd minute when Dibble assisted Addison Howell, who scored on the far post.
Piper Burgess had eight saves for Oakland.
TUESDAY
Siegel's boys and girls cross country teams both captured region championships on Tuesday.
The Lady Stars scored 40 points to finish ahead of Rockvale (54) and Blackman (90), which both also also advanced. The Lady Blaze edged Coffee County by one point for the final state berth.
The Stars scored 35 points, which finished ahead of Rockvale (46) and Blackman (70), which also advanced to the state.
Rockvale's Leila Hailey finished first individually in the girls race (18:22). Rockvale's Tate Vinson was first individually in the boys race (15:48).
The top three teams and top five individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the Class AAA state meet, which will be held Thursday in Hendersonville at Sanders Ferry Park (girls at 1:50 p.m., boys at 2:40 p.m.).
Girls
Team scores: Siegel 40, Rockvale 54, Blackman 90, Coffee Co. 91, Stewarts Creek 93, Oakland 164, Lincoln Co. 195, Riverdale 238.
Top 10 individuals: Leila Hailey (Rockvale) 18:22; Bella King (Stewarts Creek) 18:41, Lakin Hailey (Rockvale) 19:10, Kylie Gray (Stewarts Creek) 19:48, Alexa Rumpf (Siegel) 20:11, Chase Vashel (Siegel) 20:42, Kailee Rossman (Coffee Co.) 20:50, Carsen Bigelow (Siegel) 21:17, Lydia Shafer (Blackman) 21:22, Ogenna Efobi (Siegel) 21:29.
Individual qualifiers: King, Gray, Rossman, Bailey Kitts (Coffee Co.) 22:10, Chloe Hensiek (Coffee Co.) 23:00.
Boys
Team scores: Siegel 35, Rockvale 46, Blackman 70, Oakland 101, Lincoln Co. 184, Warren Co. 197, Stewarts Creek 204, Coffee Co. 213, Smyrna 237, Riverdale 255, Shelbyville 259.
Top 10 individuals: Tate Vinson (Rockvale) 15:48, Caeden Yanis (Siegel) 16:30, Carlos Gonzalez (Siegel) 16:36, Rylan Selvidge (Blackman) 16:36, Jalen Overstreet (Rockvale) 16:45, Landon Mclean (Blackman) 16:54, Wesley Thomas (Siegel) 16:57, Dominic Paliaro (Blackman) 17:02, Jailan Reynaga (Rockvale) 17:04, Williams Myers (Oakland) 17:18.
Individual qualifiers: Myers, Cayden Miller (Coffee Co.) 17:46, Reed Pullias (Oakland) 17:47, Asher Warta (Stewarts Creek) 18:01, Devon Hayes (Smyrna) 18:10.
SATURDAY
Oakland senior Aireona Duenez didn't end her first season with the girls soccer team the way she would have liked.
The Antioch transfer suffered a season-ending leg injury and watched as the Lady Patriots were eliminated in the district tournament in 2022.
What a difference a year makes.
Duenez and the Lady Patriots are headed back to the state for the first time since 2018, defeating Rhea County 5-0 in Saturday's Class AAA sectional.
"(The end of last season) was terrible," said Duenez, the team's leading goal-scorer with 26 this season. She scored a goal in Saturday's win. "I was heartbroken. The effort this team has put in (this season) is extraordinary. My senior year, I want to make it as far as I can. I'll push my body to the limit."
Leah Krugh scored three goals and assisted on Duenez's second-half goal for Oakland, a combination that has been deadly for the Lady Patriots this season. Krugh has 18 assists to go with her 17 goals.
"We are on a wavelength," Duenez said. "Me and Leah have played with each other since we were 8 or 9 (in club soccer). The chemistry we've developed is absolutely unbeatable. She can run with the ball and put her head down and I know where she wants me to go."
Ava Vixayvong also scored for Oakland (15-1-1), which has won 15 in a row since opening the season with a 5-1 loss to Franklin and a 2-2 tie vs. Mt. Juliet.
"The girls are peaking at the right time," Oakland coach Jeff Porter said. "They're scoring goals and playing solid defense. I'm about as confident as I can be in a group going into state. There's some tough teams at state, and I give them a fighting chance with any of them."
Oakland has seven shutouts in its last eight matches and has allowed just four goals during the winning streak, including just one during the postseason.
The Class AAA state tournament will be held at Chattanooga Christian School beginning Wednesday. The championship match will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. at Red Wolves Stadium.
In other Class AAA sectional action, Siegel was denied its second consecutive trip to the state tournament, falling 2-1 to host Walker Valley. The game went overtime and then to penalty kicks before the hosts pulled out the win.
Soccer
Leah Krugh, Oakland: Had three goals and an assist in a 5-0 win over Rhea County in the Class AAA sectional.
Aireona Duenez, Ava Vixayvong, Oakland: Each scored goals.
Piper Burgess, Oakland: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
Haley Pippin, Siegel: Scored a goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Walker Valley in the Class AAA sectional.
THURSDAY
The Providence Christian volleyball team captured the DII-A state title on Thursday, defeating St. George's 3-1.
PCA WINS TITLE: Providence Christian volleyball wins first TSSAA state championship
In soccer action, Oakland captured the Region 4-AAA championship with a 4-0 win over Siegel.
It was a match that was was delayed 30 minutes because of lightning, then, after five minutes of play at the Siegel Park stadium, was moved to the indoor facility before a heavy storm hit.
Oakland got a Leah Krugh goal less than two minutes into the match, then after it was moved inside, Aireona Duenez scored three more goals for the Lady Patriots before halftime.
"We're putting things together at the right time," Oakland coach Jeff Porter said. "The girls are playing well. We're looking forward to Saturday."
It was the fourth win for the Lady Patriots over their rivals.
Oakland will be at home Saturday in the AAA sectional, facing Rhea County. Siegel will go on the road to take on Walker Valley. Sectional winners advance to next week's Class AAA state tournament in Chattanooga.
Soccer
Aireona Duenez, Oakland: Scored three first-half goals in a 4-0 win over Siegel in the Region 4-AAA championship.
Leah Krugh, Oakland: Scored a goal and added two assists.
Piper Burgess, Oakland: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
Volleyball
Sadie Kroeger, PCA: Had 30 kills, eight digs, four blocks and two aces in a 3-1 win over St. George's in the DII-A state title match. She was named the championship match MVP.
McKenna Shotwell, PCA: Had 21 kills, 24 digs, two blocks and three aces.
Lillie Meinhart, PCA: had 49 assists, 12 digs, three aces and two kills.
Kayte-Madison Bjornstad, PCA: Had six blocks.
Tia James, PCA: Had 26 digs.
WEDNESDAY
The Providence Christian volleyball team will be playing for their first state championship Thursday.
The Lady Lions (35-3) reached the DII-A state finals with a thrilling 3-2 win (25-21, 25-27, 28-26, 18-25, 15-8) over rival MTCS in the tournament winners bracket finals Wednesday.
It's the sixth time the teams had played and the third time they have gone five sets in a match. PCA has won the last three between the rivals, all in the postseason.
"We know coming into any game with MTCS that there is going to be great volleyball played on both sides of the net," PCA coach Mary Ruth Jones said. "Ultimately we executed at the right time today and got the result that we have been working towards."
PCA will play the St. George's, which defeated MTCS 3-2 (16-25, 25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 15-11) in the losers bracket final.
"Going into tomorrow we are super excited, but we know that we will have to come in ready to play," Jones said. "Regardless of who our opponent is, it's going to be a battle. We just have to be where our feet are and truly live in each moment. It's been awesome to see how strong volleyball in our division has become, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
The Lady Cougars had 10-set day in a span of five hours, finishing third for the second consecutive season, ending the season 42-5.
Volleyball
Sadie Kroeger, PCA: Had 32 kills, 16 digs, two blocks and an ace in a 3-2 win over MTCS in the DII-A winners bracket finals.
McKenna Shotwell, PCA: Had 26 kills, 35 digs and a block.
Lillie Meinhart, PCA: Had 59 assists and eight blocks.
Kayte-Madison Bjornstad, PCA: Had nine kills, 10 digs, nine blocks and two aces.
Tia James, PCA: Had 26 digs.
Cora Beth Millar, PCA: Had eight blocks.
Jada Burns, MTCS: Combined for 40 kills in two state tournament matches.
Anna Clay Shirley, MTCS: Combined for 44 kills in two state tournament matches.
TUESDAY
Middle Tennessee Christian and Providence Christian will meet at least one more time on the volleyball court, and this will be in the DII-A state tournament winners bracket final.
The two will battle at 9:30 Wednesday morning at MTCS, with the winner earning a trip to Thursday's state title match and the loser having to win a losers bracket final to reach the title match.
MTCS got there with a 3-1 win over Northpoint Christian Tuesday while PCA advanced with a come-from-behind, 3-2 win over St. George's (winning 15-4 in the deciding set).
In soccer action, Oakland and Siegel both won Region 4-AAA semifinal contests Tuesday to set a fourth meeting between the two in the region finals Thursday (7 p.m. at Siegel Park). Oakland has won the previous three meetings.
The Lady Patriots defeated Wilson Central 5-1 and the Lady Stars came from behind to down Stewarts Creek 2-1.
Volleyball
Anna Clay Shirley, MTCS: Had a career-high 23 kills and 18 digs in a 3-1 win over Northpoint Christian in the DII-A state semifinals.
Jada Burns, MTCS: Had a career-high 21 kills.
Haley Hudson, MTCS: Had 50 assists, 12 digs and three aces.
Lily Watson, MTCS: Had eight kills and two blocks.
Addison Burks, MTCS: Had 17 digs and two aces.
McKenna Shotwell, PCA: Had 26 kills, 24 digs and four aces in a 3-2 win over St. George's in the DII-A state semifinals.
Sadie Kroeger, PCA: Had 16 kills, 32 digs, three blocks and two aces.
Lillie Meinhart, PCA: Had 40 assists, six kills, 17 digs, two blocks and two aces.
Kayte-Madison Bjornstad, PCA: Had seven kills and four blocks.
Tia James, PCA: Had 28 digs, six assists and two aces.
Soccer
Aireona Duenez, Oakland: Scored two goals in a 5-1 Region 4-AAA semifinals win over Wilson Central.
Leah Krugh, Oakland: Had a goal and three assists.
Ava Vixayvong, Oakland: Had a goal and an assist.
Kyra Kleparak, Oakland: Scored a goal.
Alexis Dial, Siegel: Scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-1 win over Stewarts Creek in the Region 4-AAA semifinals.
Katie Hodge, Siegel: Scored a goal.
Sydney Johnson, Siegel: Had an assist.
Claire Bryant, Stewarts Creek: Scored a goal in a loss to Siegel.
SATURDAY
The Providence Christian and Middle Tennessee Christian volleyball teams both advanced to the DII-A state final four and will be playing in the TSSAA state tournament in Murfreesboro next week.
The Lady Lions (33-3) swept Concord Christian 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-14) while the Lady Cougars (41-3) downed Notre Dame 3-2 (25-6, 25-11, 21-25, 21-25, 15-11) to advance.
The DII-A final four will be held at Middle Tennessee Christian, with matches beginning Tuesday. MTCS will battle Northpoint Christian at 9:30 a.m., followed by PCA vs. St. George's at 11:30 a.m. Winners will advance to Wednesday's bracket final at 9:30 a.m. while losers will play at 1:30 Tuesday in an elimination game.
Volleyball
Sadie Kroeger, PCA: Had 22 kills, 12 digs and an ace in a 3-0 win over Concord Christian in the DII-A state quarterfinals.
McKenna Shotwell, PCA: Had 14 kills, 16 digs and two aces.
Lillie Meinhart, PCA: Had 30 assists, 13 digs, two blocks and two aces.
Kayte-Madison Bjornstad, PCA: Had seven kills, six digs and two blocks.
Tia James, PCA: Had 17 digs.
THURSDAY
The volleyball teams from Oakland, Eagleville and Central Magnet all had their seasons come to a close Thursday, one step short of the state tournament.
The Lady Patriots dropped a 3-2 decision to visiting East Hamilton in the Class AAA sectional, the third consecutive sectional loss for Oakland.
Oakland won the first set 25-14 before falling in the next two. The Lady Patriots forced a fifth set with a 25-22 win in the fourth, but fell behind early in the fifth and couldn't recover in falling 15-11.
Eagleville, which lost setter Audrey Tribble to an injury prior to the region tourney, fell to East Robertson 3-0 in the Class A sectional. Tribble played sparingly in the sectional. The Lady Eagles were attempting to make it three consecutive trips to state.
Central Magnet, which also reached the state last season, fell in the Class AA sectional, losing at Signal Mountain 3-0.
In district soccer action, Oakland captured the 8-AAA title with a 1-0 win over rival Siegel. The Lady Patriots will play host to a region semifinal game Tuesday against Wilson Central.
Siegel will travel to Stewarts Creek, which defeated Wilson Central 4-0 in the 7-AAA championship. Region semifinal winners will secure sectional berths and play in Thursday's region finals.
All-District 8-AAA soccer team
Offensive MVP: Leah Krugh, Oakland
Defensive MVP: Makai King, Siegel
Midfield MVP: Aierona Duenez, Oakland
Goalkeeper of the Year: Mac Allen, Siegel
Freshman of the Year: Lala Southammavong, Oakland
Coach of the Year: Emily Harris, Blackman
First Team
Oakland: Piper Burgess, Aniah Leflouria, Ashley Stacey, Macy Khamphengphet; Siegel: Amber McCleskey, Dani Whitsman, Lanie Alvarez; Rockvale: Reagan McGinnis, Pari Patel; Blackman: Allyson Hawkins, Megan Parker; Riverdale: Destini Polk.
Second Team
Oakland: Ava Vixayvong, Bethany Buckley, Grace Hollon, Kyra Kleparek; Siegel: Alex Ledford, Alexis Dial, Katie Hodge; Rockvale: Molly Purnell, Izzy Schmitz; Blackman: Izabel Ulrich; Riverdale: Tori Merryman, Ariana Baxter.
Soccer
Ashley Stacey, Oakland: Scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Siegel in the 8-AAA championship. She was named tournament offensive MVP. Aniah Leflouria was named defensive MVP.
Piper Burgess, Oakland: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
Lela Green, Stewarts Creek: Scored two goals in a 4-0 win over Wilson Central in the 7-AAA championship.
Abby Pennington, Stewarts Creek: Had two assists.
Taylor Genova, Camryn Merryman, Stewarts Creek: Each scored a goal.
Ella Gilliam, Stewarts Creek: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
TUESDAY
Oakland's volleyball team captured the Region 4-AAA title Tuesday night, defeating host Cookeville 3-0 in the championship match.
The Lady Patriots, who defeated Lebanon 3-0 in the semifinals, will play host to East Hamilton Thursday in the Class AAA sectional, with a berth in the state tournament on the line.
Siegel's volleyball team was eliminated by Cookeville, 3-0, in the semifinals.
Central Magnet's volleyball team is back in the sectional after a 3-1 win over Stone Memorial in the 4-AA semifinal. The Lady Tigers fell to Upperman 3-1 in the championship, putting them on the road Thursday at Signal Mountain.
Eagleville's volleyball team also reached the sectional, but will have to travel to East Robertson on Thursday. The Lady Eagles defeated Bledsoe County 3-1 in the Region 5-A semifinals before falling to Sale Creek 3-0 in the finals.
Middle Tennessee Christian earned a win in the DII-A state round of 12, sweeping Tipton Rosemark 3-0. The Lady Cougars will travel to Notre Dame in the state quarterfinals Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Providence Christian had a bye in the tourney and will play a home match Saturday in the quarters.
In soccer, Oakland and Siegel both advanced to the District 8-AAA championship match and secured region berths. The Lady Patriots defeated Blackman 3-0 and the Lady Stars downed Rockvale 3-0.
The two will play at Siegel Park Thursday at 7 in the championship.
Stewarts Creek's girls soccer team reached the District 7-AAA championship match with a 6-0 win over rival Smyrna.
Central Magnet's girls soccer team had their season come to a close with a 3-1 loss to Tullahoma in the District 8-AA semifinals.
In Class AA state golf action, Central Magnet's girls team finished sixth overall as Lauren Powell (82-82) finished 23rd and Anna Powell (84-82) was tied for 25th.
Rockvale's Aidan Sinclair finished tied for 27th (77-76) in the boys tourney while Lady Rocket Solia Mechling tied for 19th (78-83) in girls' action.
Volleyball
Haley Hudson, MTCS: Had 38 assists, nine digs and three aces in a 3-0 win over Tipton Rosemark in the DII-A state round of 12.
Anna Clay Shirley, MTCS: Had 15 kills and four aces.
Jada Burns, MTCS: Had 16 kills.
Lily Watson, MTCS: Had nine kills and three aces.
Bailey Grant, Oakland: Had 23 assists and four aces in a 3-0 win over Lebanon in the Region 4-AAA semifinals and added four aces in a win over Cookeville in the finals.
Elisa Fries, Oakland: Combined for 21 kills in two matches and added three blocks and 21 assists in a title win over Cookeville.
Taylor Baron, Oakland: Combined for 35 digs in two matches and had four aces in a win over Lebanon.
Soccer
Leah Krugh, Oakland: Scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Blackman in the 8-AAA semifinals.
Aireona Duenez, Oakland: Scored a goal.
Piper Burgess, Oakland: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
Ellie Walker, Alex Ledford, Sydney Johnson, Siegel: Each scored goals in a 3-0 win over Rockvale in the 8-AAA semis.
Dani Witsman, Katie Hodge, Elizabeth Bush, Siegel: Each had assists.
Mac Allen, Siegel: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
Abby Pennington, Stewarts Creek: Had two goals and an assist in a 6-0 win over Smyrna in the 7-AAA semifinals.
Lillian Opie, Stewarts Creek: Had two goals.
Taylor Genova, Stewarts Creek: Had a goal and an assist.
Claire Bryant, Stewarts Creek: Scored a goal.
Ella Gilliam, Stewarts Creek: Kept a clean sheet in goal.
Sarah-Beth Griffin, Emily Martinez, Stewarts Creek: Each had assists.
MONDAY
Blackman's girls soccer team advanced to the District 8-AAA semifinals with a 6-1 win over Riverdale Monday.
The Lady Blaze will take on top seed Oakland on Tuesday while Siegel and Rockvale will play in the other semifinal. The winners earn region berths and will meet in Thursday's championship match at Siegel Park.
Smyrna's girls soccer team advanced to the District 7-AAA semifinals with a 2-0 win over La Vergne. The Lady Bulldogs play at Stewarts Creek Tuesday with a region berth at stake. Cookeville plays Wilson Central in the other semifinal.
Rockvale's Aidan Sinclair shot a 77 on the first day of the Class AA boys state golf tournament. Lady Rocket Solia Mechling fired a first-day 78 while Central Magnet's Anna Powell and Lauren Powell shot and 82 and 84, respectively.
Soccer
Izabel Ulrich, Blackman: Scored four goals in a 6-1 win over Riverdale in the 8-AAA tournament.
Madison Ulrich, Blackman: Scored a goal.
Ariana Baxter, Riverdale: Scored a goal.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Murfreesboro area high school fall sports postseason top performers
