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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

SYLACAUGA – The Briarwood Christian Lions got off to a dominant start in area play with a sweep of the Central-Clay County Volunteers on Monday, Sept. 9, and three days later, they kept rolling with another three-set victory.

Briarwood swept the Sylacauga Aggies 3-0 on Thursday, Sept. 12 at Sylacauga High School to continue their successful run in the area.

With the win, the Lions are 2-0 in area play with four matches remaining against area opponents.

Despite the sweep, Briarwood had to work for the opening set victory to get itself on the path to a dominant win.

The Lions and Aggies found themselves tied at 24-24 in the first set, and they traded the next two points to extend the set once again.

Briarwood then broke through to win back-to-back points and take the opening set 27-25.

With that victory in their back pocket, the Lions established a lead in the second set that they wouldn’t relinquish down the stretch.

While Sylacauga still remained a handful of points behind, Briarwood won the second set 25-20 to go up 2-0 in the match.

The Lions kept their foot on the gas pedal from there and didn’t allow the Aggies an opportunity to extend the match.

Briarwood kept Sylacauga at bay and saw out the victory from there, winning the third set 25-19 to secure the sweep.

Sophomore Julie Roberts led the team with 11 kills and also had five digs and a pair of aces. Clara Crawford stuffed the stat sheet with five kills, four aces, four digs and two blocks.

Sophia Seale had a team-high eight digs along with three kills and a block, and Peyton Gibbons earned five kills, two digs and two blocks in the Lions victory.

Briarwood will play in the Husky Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 14 before completing the front half of area play with a home match against the Shelby County Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.