BIRMINGHAM, Alabama—Spanish Fort's Lady Toros made it to the semifinals of the 5A state volleyball tournament Wednesday, but fell short of reaching the title round in a four-set loss to defending state champion St. Paul's 25-17, 26-24, 20-25, 25-19.

SFHS head coach Barclay Kercher said her team had worked hard and fought even harder to come back from a game down against North Regional second seed Lawrence County, but ran out of gas against the Saints.

"We felt good about our chances against them going in," she said. "Had a good game plan and the girls did a good job executing. But we made a few mistakes to start with in game one and I think the old nerves kicked in. But bounced back in game two, had them 24-24 but couldn't nail it down. Then in game three we finished strong like we know we are able to and forced another game. But it didn't fall our way, we got behind again and couldn't comeback. But I'm so proud of everybody. They gave 100-percent effort all the way and they worked really hard all summer and all season to prove that they were good enough to make the Elite Eight. They all fought hard, played hard. I just couldn't be more proud."

Setter Amber Treace led Spanish Fort with 13 kills, 13 digs, four aces and 23 assists, Hayden Green and Bailey Stein each had seven kills and libero Shannon Paaymans added 28 digs.

The 5A Area 2 champion Toros made it to the state tournament with a third-seed finish in the 5A South Super Regional in Montgomery last week. Spanish Fort blanked Demopolis 3-0 (25-10, 25-1, 25-9) and outlasted Benjamin Russell in a dramatic five setter 25-19, 21-25, 26-24, 21-25,15-10 to advance.

The Saints fell to Hartselle in the finals.