WOODLAND – All season long, the Sand Rock volleyball team has had its troubles with Geraldine. The Lady Wildcats had lost four of their previous five meetings with the Lady Bulldogs, including last week in the area championship match.

On Saturday, the two teams battled for the sixth time in the Class 2A, Region C tournament championship. This time, however, the Wildcats managed to outlast Geraldine 22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-14 and 15-13 to claim the regional title.

“We just played amazing team ball,” Sand Rock coach Lisa Bates said. “It was exciting to see them get so pumped up. We played smart and served well, and it really helped us get into a good position.”

Sand Rock (43-10) now advances to sub-state play on Thursday, where it will host Westminster Christian at 6 p.m.

The Wildcats opened Saturday’s regional tournament with a 25-21, 25-14, 25-12 victory over Woodland. Sand Rock then defeated Fyffe 25-14, 25-15 and 25-17 to set up the championship match with Geraldine.

Jennifer Campbell led the charge with 51 kills, 54 digs and six aces. Megan Battles added 36 kills, 36 digs, eight aces and three blocks. Logan Smith posted 119 assists, 42 digs and seven aces.

Carrie Robertson posted 37 digs, 25 kills and six aces. Karlie Anderson had 22 kills, 11 digs and 10 blocks. Gena Farmer finished with 37 digs and seven assists. Kayla Mashburn ended with 13 digs.

Bates singled out the performances of Farmer and Mashburn in helping the Wildcats earn the regional title.

“They don’t get too much credit, but they passed the ball extremely well and that helped us win,” Bates said.