1 of 5

The Shelby County Wildcats took on No. 2 Ramsay in the first round of the Class 5A Super Regionals, but fell by a final score of 3-0 to see their season come to an end. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

The Shelby County Wildcats squared off against No. 2 Ramsay in the first round of the super regional tournament and fell in straight sets to see their season come to an end. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

MONTGOMERY – A strong season for the Shelby County Wildcats saw them earn a trip to the Class 5A Super Regionals on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl MultiPlex looking for a trip to the state tournament.

Needing two wins on the day to advance out of super regionals and into the state tournament, the Wildcats got about as difficult of a first-round matchup as they possibly could have against the No. 2 ranked Ramsay Rams, who was competing for 6A titles the last two seasons.

Shelby County flashed some signs early that it could keep up with the Rams torrid front line and athleticism, but in the end, Ramsay was too much and pulled away for a clean sweep to end the Wildcats’ season.

In the first set of the match, the Wildcats got off to a promising start and actually found themselves in front of the Rams by a score of 11-8 at one point.

Ramsay, however, went on a 10-1 run after that to storm in front and take the lead at 18-12.

The Wildcats still had some fight in them and battled back to cut the Rams’ lead to 23-19, but coming out of a timeout, Ramsay went on to reel off the final two points of the set with ease to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Rams used that confidence to boost their play in the second set as well, starting out on an 8-0 run to quickly take a commanding lead.

With the Wildcats facing an uphill battle, they were able to eventually put together a run. After falling behind 13-2, Shelby County went on a 6-0 run to trim the deficit to 13-8.

From that point forward, it was all Ramsay.

The Rams went on to close the set out with a 12-3 run to claim a 25-11 victory in the set and gather a 2-0 advantage in the match.

With all of the momentum on Ramsay’s side and Shelby County down to its final set of the season with a loss, the Rams took advantage and closed out the match in the third set.

They jumped out to another strong start early in the third with a 9-2 lead, before eventually extending it to 11-4 and 17-8.

Shelby County reeled the deficit back in slightly at 19-13, but the Rams went on to close the set out with a 6-3 run to pull off a 25-16 victory in the third set and claim a 3-0 sweep of the Wildcats.

With the win, Ramsay advanced to being one win away from the state tournament, while Shelby County saw a special season come to an end.

More Sports

Briarwood’s Andrew Groves, Caroline Foster win state swimming, diving championships

Carson Rose extends SPHL goal lead as Bulls cruise past Macon Mayhem

University of Montevallo women’s soccer advances to D-II Sweet 16 with win over Florida Tech

Spain Park stifles John Carroll in tangle at Thompson Thanksgiving Invitational