The South Warren volleyball team extended its season with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-19) victory over Bowling Green in the District 14 Tournament on Tuesday at South Warren High School.

After losing twice to the Lady Purples in three regular-season meetings – including a 3-1 home loss Sept. 19 – South Warren (18-18) was able to flip the script and clinch a spot in the District 14 championship game for a fifth straight season. The Spartans also clinch a spot in the Region 4 Tournament, which begins Monday at Warren East.

“It means everything to me and my teammates,” South Warren senior hitter Hannah Yonts said. “It all comes down to (the district tournament) and whether you are going to go out there and grind and fight for potentially the last game of your season or whether you are going to live to see another day. I’m so happy with the result tonight.”

No. 3 seed South Warren controlled the momentum for most of the night, but still had to fight back a stiff challenge from No. 2 seed Bowling Green.

The Spartans led 3-0 in game one and stayed in front until midway through when a kill from Kenley Woodyard gave Bowling Green a 15-14 advantage. The Lady Purples were unable to get a lead larger than a point and South Warren was able to rally, scoring four of the final five points to clinch game one.

Bowling Green (25-9) built a 17-13 lead in game two before the Spartans rallied back to take a 22-20 lead it would not relinquish.

The Lady Purples built a 4-1 lead in game three, but again South Warren stormed back to lead by as many as nine points. Bowling Green got as close as four before Sophie Pemberton recorded two kills to send the Spartans into Thursday’s final.

“We just battled hard all night long,” South Warren coach Justin Griffin said. “It was just one of those games where it was back and forth the whole match and we were able to take care of a few plays when we needed to. I’m just so proud of them. They scrapped and battled all night long. Bowling Green did the same. It was just one of those where a few plays go your way and that was the difference.”

Yonts had 14 kills to lead the Spartans. Pemberton added 10 kills and Sydney Clayton finished with 37 assists.

McKinley Bice had eight kills for Bowling Green, while Riley Marshall added six kills.

“I was really impressed with South Warren’s ball control today – their clean play,” Bowling Green coach Amy Wininger said. “That new set is a great addition. Kudos to Justin. I highly respect him and the energy that his teams always have.

“They played incredibly. They made us look like a middle school team. We were a little off. We didn’t look like ourselves, but I give them credit for their strong play that made us look like that.”

Bowling Green’s season ends with the second-most wins in the region heading into the postseason. The Lady Purples were also denied the program’s first trip to the region tournament since 2013.

“Nine seniors – just a really neat group,” Wininger said. “More than any season that I have ever been involved with … I really didn’t want this season to end. This is a really special group of girls, so this is a tough one.”

South Warren will face Greenwood in the District 14 championship at 6 p.m. Thursday. It’s the fourth straight championship game between those two schools. South Warren has won the last three district title games, but was swept by Greenwood in the regular season this year.

Greenwood 3, Warren East 0

The Lady Gators cruised to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-12) win over Warren East to advance to a fourth straight district tournament final and clinch a spot in next week’s Region 4 Tournament.

Alexa Davis led the way for Greenwood (30-2) with 10 kills. Annee Lasley and Emmie Bender had nine kills each, while Jonae’a Blissett finished with eight kills and Katie Howard added seven kills. Rileigh Stivers had 35 assists for the Lady Gators.

“It’s really exciting,” Greenwood coach Jason Reels said. “We played great all year with only two losses, but it’s win or go home when you get to these matches. I think we started out a little tight tonight and then we got into the flow of the game.

“I was excited to see the girls really get back into that rhythm that they needed. All five hitters had over seven kills. It was a very balanced attack distributed out well by Rileigh.”

Greenwood will face South Warren for the District 14 championship at 6 p.m. Thursday, looking for the school’s first District 14 tournament title since 2012.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve won that district title,” Reels said. “We’ve been able to make it to the region – and won the region title last year, but the district title seems to be elusive. This year has been our focus, first and foremost, to win that district title.”

Hallie Willis had eight kills and Kendall Bloyd added seven kills for Warren East, which finishes the season with a 22-15 record.{&end}