MOVING ON — Oak Glen’s Brayley Lash, Averi Martin and Brooklyn Six celebrate during Wednesday’s state tournament. - WVSSAC

By virtue of a pair of victories on Wednesday, the Golden Bears have earned a spot in the Class AA volleyball state championship game, seeking a ninth state title in school history. Oak Glen was the state runner up a year ago and last won the title in 2023.

Oak Glen, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, defeated No. 8 Independence in a sweep in the morning session, then battled to a four-set win over No. 4 seed James Monroe in the evening semifinal round to earn a spot in today’s final.

“I am so very proud of our composure and grit,” Oak Glen head coach Morgan Saddler said. “It was a full team effort all day. When you get this late in the postseason, it’s a battle every time you step on the court. I’m very proud of our teamwork.

“We are excited for tomorrow. One point at a time!”

SETTING — Oak Glen’s Keira Vick sets during Wednesday’s state tournament. - WVSSAC

In both matches, the Golden Bears (27-10-3) got stronger as the match went.

In the quarterfinal sweep, the Bears pulled away late in the opening set after it was close most of the way, taking a 25-19 victory.

The second and third sets were all Golden Bears, as they won both by 25-8 margins.

In the second set, Oak Glen scored the first three points and did not look back, finishing on a 16-2 run. In the third, after taking a 14-6 lead Oak Glen again went on a big run, finishing the match with a 11-2 streak to down Independence (14-22-7) and reach the semis.

In that victory, Oak Glen got 11 kills and two aces from Averi Martin, nine kills, two aces and eight digs from Brooklyn Six, 29 assists from Mikalyn Balch, five kills, four digs and two blocks from Mattie Carney.

GOING TO GET IT — Oak Glen’s Brayley Lash goes down to dig the ball during the state tournament. - WVSSAC

In the semifinals, it was James Monroe (36-10-3) that struck first, opening a 12-6 lead early in the first set, then pulling ahead again after Oak Glen pushed back to win the opening set 25-17.

James Monroe was again off to a good start in the second leading 5-2 early, but the Bears came out of hibernation and got rolling — and did not stop — closing the set on a 12-3 run to storm back and win it 25-16 and even the match.

In the third set, the Bears jumped ahead to leads of 7-1 and 10-2, staying ahead from there to win 25-17 and take the lead.

A fast start again made the difference in the clinching fourth set as Oak Glen powered ahead 15-3. James Monroe tried to battle back, closing within 21-15 with a 10-4 run, but the Bears scored four of the final five points to close out the set and the match, 25-16 and 3-1.

In the win, the Bears got 15 kills, nine digs and three aces from Six, 12 kills, eight digs, a block and an ace from Martin, 14 kills from Brayley Lash and 43 assists from Balch.

SERVING — Oak Glen’s Averi Martin delivers a serve on Wednesday at the state tournament. - WVSSAC

The Bears will meet No. 2 seed Philip Barbour (44-11-2) in the championship game today inside the Charleston Coliseum. The Colts spoiled the potential for an all-OVAC final, topping Wheeling Central in four sets in the late semifinal Wednesday night.

Oak Glen and Philip Barbour met one time in the regular season, a 2-1 Oak Glen win during a triple match in September.