Jefferson, Dawson and Lumpkin all advanced in the 3A bracket, while Rabun (2A) and Tallulah Falls (1A Private) did the same. Here are the previews of each match.

CLASS 3A

DAWSON COUNTY

RECORD: 19-23
SEEDING: #3 from Region 7-AAA
RND 1: def #2 Murray County 3-1
SWEET 16: @ #1 Calhoun (42-10)

Dawson is continuing to trend upwards with its second straight season of making state. Only this time, the Lady Tigers got to the Sweet 16. It’s a tall ask to beat one of the best in the state in Calhoun, even on the road, but these girls play with so much heart and passion that anything is possible.

JEFFERSON

RECORD: 20-12
SEEDING: #2 from Region 8-AAA
RND 1: def #3 Adairsville 3-0
SWEET 16: @ #1 North Hall (14-10)

The Lady Dragons dominated Adairsville 3-0, and now travel to North Hall (a short distance) to take on the Lady Trojans. This should be an epic battle between two teams that deserve to make a VERY DEEP RUN!

LUMPKIN COUNTY

RECORD: 19-24
SEEDING: #4 from Region 7-AAA
RND 1: def #1 Ringgold 3-1
SWEET 16: @ #3 Jackson County (23-14)

This has the makings of a BIG opportunity for Lumpkin, as the girls pulled off a monumental upset in taking down a #1 seed, Ringgold. Jackson County also upset Sonoraville, so we have a rare #3/#4 battle in the second round. It’s there for the taking for Lumpkin, who is in the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history and only second time making state in the 10-year history.

CLASS 2A

RABUN COUNTY

RECORD: 18-18
SEEDING: #1 from Region 8-AA
RND 1: def #4 Drew Charter 3-0
SWEET 16: vs #3 Armuchee (14-15)

The Lady Cats volleyball program is almost quietly becoming an annual powerhouse. In 2013 the girls made state, but lost out on 2014. Since then, each season Rabun has made state, and they’ve made the Elite 8 in 2016, Sweet 16 in 2017 and back in the Sweet 16 here again in 2018. This could be the year the girls go even further.

CLASS 1A

TALLULAH FALLS

RECORD: 31-17
SEEDING: #2 from Area 8-A
RND 1: def #3 Mt. Pisgah 3-1
SWEET 16: @ #1 Hebron Christian (42-8)

Tallulah Falls got past Mt. Pisgah with relative ease for the first playoff win in school history (so we’ve been told). This marks the third straight state playoff appearance for the volleyball program, and this has easily been one of the best years in school history. Hebron will be a tough draw for TFS.