For the first time since their 2000 sectional softball title, the Lady Trojans can boast of a school championship.

Gaylesville (22-10) swept its way to the Class 1A, Area 10 title on Oct. 20, defeating Collinsville 25-14, 25-11 and 25-11, 25-10 for the first-place plaque.

Collinsville beat Cedar Bluff 25-19, 25-23 before knocking the Lady Tigers out of the tournament with a 25-18, 25-15 victory in the playback match.

Gaylesville head coach Hilarie Howard was proud of her five four-year starters for finishing on top in their final season.

“This group of seniors [Ashley Slayton, Sasha Bruce, Becky Vernon, Desiree Tallent and Brooke Dean] were ninth graders when I began with this program, and it's so great to see them grow and mature on and off the court these past four years. I’m proud to be associated with such a great group of young ladies.

“I’m just tickled to death to win the area. We struggled all season to play up to our ability, and in the last match we finally did what I’ve been waiting us to do all year.

“I knew that we should have been the favorites coming into the tournament, but also knew that we’d be in trouble if we didn’t play up to our level. Fortunately, we saved out best for the last match.”

For the Lady Trojans in the tournament, Slayton had 11 kills, followed by Bruce and Dean with six each, Tallent with five, Vernon with four, and Melissa Flynt with two.

Dean dished out 15 assists, while Robbie Shelton had three and Anika Henderson two.

Shelton served up eight aces, followed by Bruce with eight, Slayton with seven, Dean with five and Tallent with four.

Slayton came up with 15 digs, followed by Vernon with 10, Bruce with seven, Shelton with six, Dean and Tallent with four each and Brittney McKissick with two.

Gaylesville jumped out to a 14-2 lead in game 1 of the title match behind three aces each from Shelton and Bruce.

The score stood at 19-9 when Shelton served up five straight aces, and the visitors allowed just one more point en route to the victory.

The Lady Trojans never trailed in game 2 after opening with an 8-2 run, and Shelton’s two aces and Slayton’s two kills down the stretch secured the championship sweep.

In the earlier Trojan/Panther match, game 1 was tied at 11 before Shelton’s eight straight service points powered a 10-0 run, and Slayton’s two ace at game point putting Gaylesville up 1-0.

Slayton’s six straight service points and four aces helped the Lady Trojans go up 15-5 in game 2, while Bruce’s two aces down the stretch helped secure Gaylesville a championship berth