Pope Softball, Volleyball Teams Seek State

It's a very good time to be female athlete at Pope High School.

The Lady Greyhounds have been sparkling in fall team sports, with their three-time defending state championship volleyball team peaking as state playoff action begins today.

Pope will play host to Loganville in the first round of the Georgia High School Association's Class AAAAA state playoffs.

The match begins at 6 p.m. The Lady Greyhounds, who are 40-8, have won 18 of their last 19 matches. On Saturday, they defeated Northview twice in the Region 7-AAAAA tournament, avenging their only loss during that streak.

The Pope softball team also will be playing today, for the school's first berth in the state tournament, facing Heritage in the first game of a best-of-three series.

The Lady Greyhounds are 23-5, and feature standout pitching, including Kelly Barnhill and Lindsey Walsh.

But as The Marietta Daily Journal explains, Pope will be facing a high-powered offensive team in trying to reach the state tourney in Columbus.

The Walton High School volleyball team also opens defense of its state championship when it plays host to Kennesaw Mountain at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Class AAAAAA playoffs.

The Lady Raiders (29-7) prevailed in the Region 4-AAAAAA tournament over the weekend despite playing without injured hitting star Chloe Cook.