The Goshen Lady Eagles volleyball team is heading back to Birmingham for the Class 2A State Volleyball Championships.

The Eagles finished in second place in the 2A South Super Regionals on Friday evening in Montgomery.

“I am proud of our girls; they have come a long way,” said head coach Amy Warrick. “That was one of our goals. I told you we had to get through the area tournament in order to get a really good draw. They had set goals and they came out focused. I was really proud.”

After defeating Zion Chapel in the area tournament on Monday, the Eagles began the regionals as a one seed. The Eagles began the tournament with a sweep over Lanett 25-8, 25-8 and 25-8. In round two, the Eagles took out J.U. Blacksher by scores of 25-9, 25-12 and 25-19 to advance to Friday.

On Friday, the Eagles took on a familiar foe in Ariton. It took all five sets, but the Eagles prevailed 25-18, 19-25, 26-24, 13-25 and 15-12.

“Ariton is very tough,” Warrick said. “Every time we play Ariton they always play us really hard. We were up for that match. We came out strong against Ariton.”

In the championship round the Eagles came up short, losing to St. Luke’s in straight sets 17-25, 18-25 and 14-25.

The Eagles will leave for Birmingham this morning to get checked into their hotels and see their sites before officially beginning play Wednesday morning against Hatton at 11 a.m.

“We have been there,” Warrick said. “The girls seem very focused. We are happy to be going, but our main focus isn’t just to go to state. We had good practices and we are focused on going there with a purpose. We played Hatton before, so we want to come out and win that game.”

Joining the Eagles and Hatton will be Ariton, Winston County, G.W. Long, St. Luke’s, Ider and Altamont.