DACULA, Ga. - The Hebron Christian Academy volleyball team will return to the semifinals of the Class 3A-A Private state tournament after sweeping Greater Atlanta Christian (25-7, 25-16, 25-10) in the quarterfinals at home on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The top-seeded Lions, who currently rank 40th in America (MaxPreps), ran out to an early 11-0 lead in the first set against the Spartans, and did not look back. It will be Hebron's second-straight trip to the Final Four, after losing just two sets in last year's tournament, and claiming its third state title. 

"We wanted to come out and execute on our side of the net really well, we could not have dialed it any better – how we started … Once you do something like that, our team becomes a little bit more calm because emotions are pretty high at the beginning of a match," head coach Taylor Davis said. "Hats off to Ashley [Troxell] for starting that serving run [in Set 1], for us to continue to build momentum … Ashley has been one of those players, every season, who continues to progress and get better as time goes on, and she's playing the best ball of her career right now, and it's so much fun to watch." 

Troxell, a junior outside hitter committed to Troy University, led the Lions with nine kills at a .600 clip in the match, while adding four service aces, second to sophomore setter Sydney Clifford. Troxell also had five digs in the win. 

"It's really just a team connection and getting that setter-hitter connection down with my setters, really, Troxell said." 

The Spartans struggled to combat what was an incredible start for the Lions, scoring just four of the first 25 points. The offensive woes continued in a healthy dose all evening, as Hebron got a stout defensive showing up front, led by junior middle hitter Jade Howard. 

Jade joined the Lions late this season, but made an immediate impact, and that was the case against GAC, her former team. She had five massive blocks against the Spartans, who she played for just last season. 

Each block was met with emotion from herself, her teammates and a loud bunch of HCA students and fans. 

"[Howard] was extremely excited about this match," Davis said. "As a coach, you have to wonder 'are those emotions, in a sense, going to force you to play outside of yourself, or is it going to encourage you to stay within your ability?' … I thought [Howard] did a perfect job of being in the moment and not allowing, in a sense, her emotions, since she played over there the last two years, get the best of her, and just play perfect volleyball." 

Howard joined Troxell in having nine kills in the match, hitting at a .571 clip. Senior right side Aubrey Cowart added seven kills, while senior middle Gaëlle Gerome and junior outside Addison Griffin had five each. 

Setters Eden Thao and Elle Walker combined for 25 assists. 

The Lions will set their sights on No. 5 Trinity Christian School, which will meet Hebron at Forsyth Central High School in the quarterfinal match this Saturday at 12:00 p.m. 

The Lions of Sharpsburg, Ga. rep a 28-9 record, and rank as the 37th-best team in Georgia (MaxPreps).