Eight teams across the Southern Six enter Monday night’s action looking for South State titles and a berth in the state volleyball championships next weekend in Clinton.
South Mississippi is guaranteed South State titles in 5A and 6A as region rivals clash.
In 5A, Jackson County rivals Vancleave and East Central will meet in Vancleave. The Lady Bulldogs (19-6) advanced with a hard-fought five-set win over Gautier in the South State semifinals on Thursday while the Lady Hornets (18-23) went on the road and knocked off South Jones in four sets.
Vancleave and East Central have met three times this season with the Lady Bulldogs winning all three times, including two four-set victories in region play.
The winner advances to take on the winner of the Lafayette-Pontotoc match. Lafayette is the defending 5A state champion, defeating East Central in 2023.
In 6A, for the second year in a row, Hancock will host region foe George County for a right to go to Clinton. The Lady Hawks (29-6) swept West Harrison to advance and are looking for their second consecutive South State title at the expense of the Lady Rebels.
George County (26-9) swept West Jones on the road last week to advance. Hancock swept the Lady Rebels during the regular season.
Lake Cormorant looks to defend it state title from last year as it takes on Neshoba Central for the North State crown.
In 7A, Ocean Springs is at home and will face defending South State champion Brandon. The Lady Greyhounds swept Northwest Rankin to advance and are 34-9 on the season.
Brandon (30-7) defeated Gulfport in four sets. Brandon and Ocean Springs met during the first weekend of the season in the Mississippi High School Invitational in Jackson with the Lady Bulldogs winning in two sets.
Defending 7A champion Lewisburg takes on Germantown in the North State finals.
In 4A, the Poplarville Lady Hornets will host defending South State champion Purvis. The Lady Hornets (19-6) swept Northeast Jones to advance while the Lady Tornadoes (29-9) took care of Pass Christian in three sets.
Purvis fell to Newton County in the finals last year and the Lady Cougars are in the North State finals against New Albany. This will be the first meeting of the year between Poplarville and Purvis.
OLA is looking for back-to-back 3A state titles as the Crescents are in the South State finals again. OLA improved to 39-4 with a sweep of Enterprise Clarke and has yet to drop a set in the 2024 postseason.
West Marion (23-7) swept past St. Patrick to advance and will play OLA on the Crescents’ court in Bay St. Louis. OLA swept both matches against the Lady Trojans this year.
Kossuth and Belmont square off in the North State finals.
In 1A, the Resurrection Lady Eagles (15-8) are set to host Stringer. Resurrection swept East Marion while the Lady Red Devils eliminated Ethel. This will be the first meeting of the year between RCS and Stringer.
West Union and Tupelo Christian will meet in the North State finals.
The state championship matches are set for Oct. 17 (1A, 2A, 3A, 6A and 7A) and Oct. 18 (4A and 5A) at A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton.
