After a 9-year absence, Gilbert High School is back in the S.C. High School League volleyball finals.
On Monday in Charleston, the Lady Indians defeated Academic Magnet in 4 sets to claim the Class 3A Lower State title. 
The scores were 25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 25-21. 
"They have truly set some lofty goals this season and they have been working every practice," Gilbert head coach Jackie Shealy said. "Every match that we have played has led them to capturing that Lower State championship. 
"We have a great Gilbert support system. We probably had as many there tonight as Academic Magnet did which speaks volumes when it comes to our Gilbert community and I'm so blessed to be a part of that." 
It's the 6th Lower State title in school history for Gilbert, 3 under Shealy, and first since 2011. The win also improved the combined overall record of Lexington School District 1 teams to 12-2 in the post-season, with remaining teams Gilbert and Class 5A Lower State finalists Lexington and River Bluff a combined 10-0. 
"We are just impressed that 3 of our 5 high schools are playing in Lower State championships," Shealy said. "I think our volleyball club programs in the Midlands area are preparing these girls. They are getting a lot more training outside the regular season which I think is increasing our level of play in the Midlands." 
Ironically, the state championship will take place in The Swamp at 2:30 pm Saturday. Standing in the way of the Lady Indians' 1st state title since winning back-to-back Class 2A titles in 1996 and 1997 is defending champion Powdersville. It claimed the Upper State title also in 4 sets (19-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-19) over Chapman. 
"Anytime you come into the state championship, it's going to be just the best players that you're facing across the state," Shealy said. "I just think we just go into our practice tomorrow preparing, getting to know our opponent and just get into a great gameplan. I think with this group, they are relentless, very scrappy and...just extremely determined to win state this year." 

TENNIS
River Bluff wins Lower State
For the 2nd time in 3 years, the Lady Gators will compete for a Class 5A title.
Despite a rule change resulting in Monday's Class 5A Lower State final getting moved from Lexington to nemesis Wando, River Bluff came away with the 4-2 victory. 
The Lady Gators will now seek to regain the state title it won in 2017. They will await the winner of the Upper State final taking place Tuesday between J.L. Mann and Wade Hampton to face in the 10 am final Saturday at the Cayce Fitness and Tennis Center. 

(SINGLES) 

Jesse Hollins (RB) def. Megan Sinclaire 6-0,6-1

Liyin Zhu (RB) def. Lilly Zimmerman 6-0, 6-0

Claire Floyd (RB) def. Ellie Zimmerman 6-0,6-1

Kiana Thatcher (RB) def. Karson Powers 6-4, 6-2

Laurel Maynoe (W) def. Jordan Schaberg 6-0, 6-3

(DOUBLES) 

Elle Adair/Ellie Rogers (W) def. Riley Mitchell/Patty Silva 3-6, 6-2, 11-9