Hancock Lady Hawks punch their ticket to Class 6A State Championship!

Hancock hosted George County in the Class 6A South State Championship and came up with key plays down the stretch to secure the title and punch its ticket to the state championship match.

The Hawks held a two-set advantage as the teams battled in the third set, with freshman Claire Christian and Kennedi Jenkins teaming up for a big play for the Rebels. After Christian’s first attempt was blocked, Jenkins kept the ball alive with excellent coverage, giving George County another chance to record the kill.

Hancock answered with some power of its own. Newly crowned Miss Volleyball Madison Reso delivered a back-set slide to Madison Moran, who hammered the ball deep for a Hawks kill.

The Hawks tried to get the momentum going but sophomore outside hitter Mallory Evans rose up for a block for George County.

The Hawks continued to build their lead when Adriana Guess dug a hard-hit ball to Reso, who set Blyth Martinez for a kill off the Rebel blockers. Hancock then added another point as Reso set junior Hartleigh Ladner on the run, and Ladner finished with a cross-court kill.

With Hancock leading 24-14, the Hawks followed a ball out of bounds to clinch the third set and secure the Class 6A South State Championship.

Now, the Lady Hawks turn their attention to the biggest match of the season as they prepare to face Center Hill in the Class 6A state championship Thursday at 2 p.m.