SPANISH FORT, Alabama—It's never too late to celebrate. And after eight seasons it might seem a little past due.

The Lady Toros won their home Battle at Spanish Fort Tournament Saturday with a come-from behind 2-1 win over 6A power Baker. It was the first Toro keeping of the championship trophy since SFHS opened in 2005. The Lady Hornets won the first game in the title match 25-19.

But the Toros responded with back-to-back wins 25-19, 15-12 for the championship.

"It's the first time we have won it as a 5A program," said Spanish Fort head coach Barclay Kercher who got the volleyball and softball programs going when the school opened as a Class 2A.

"We won it the first year when the school was small and we were just getting started. Since then we grew and attracted a lot more and a lot bigger schools and tougher competition. I'm just really proud of this group of girls we have this year. It takes a real team effort to go very far in this sport and they understand that as well as any I've ever coached.

"I have four great seniors (Arianna Kaminski, Shannon Paaymans, Bailey Stein and Treace) who lead by example and I think our court chemistry is coming together well.

"We have some very talented servers, key servers, who come in on certain rotations and situations where we have been able to maximize our points per rotation. Today, I was very proud of how they came back after falling behind in that first game and went forward and took control. We’re starting to play our own style of volleyball, coming into our own and finding our own identity. Having more consistency and finding the right balance with our lineup."

Senior setter Amber Treace had 25 assists, 4 kills, 3 blocks and 3 aces to lead Spanish Fort in the title match and was named the 2012 Tournament MVP. Mia Barraza had 8 kills, 2 aces and 4 digs and Shannon Paaymans added 11 digs at libero for SFHS.

The Toros' sophomore middle blocker/hitter Rebecca Morehouse was also named to the 2012 All-Tournament team along with Baker's Emily Barbosa— who had 22 assists, Murphy's Bria Rochelle (35 kills) and Baldwin County High's NaKea McDougal who led the Lady Tigers to the semifinals.

BCHS fell to SFHS in the semis after advancing past Daphne in the quarters. Baker defeated Murphy in three games in the semis and got by St. Luke's in the quarters. SFHS also defeated Rehobeth, Saraland and Mobile Christian. The Hornets (17-11) went 5-1, beating Long Beach, Fairhope, Mary G. Montgomery, St. Luke’s and Murphy before falling to the Toros.

Treace, who has been a starter since her freshman year, said it was exciting to see the trophy stay at Spanish Fort.

"I'm just so happy we won it, finally," she said. "We really wanted it for coach Kercher. She deserves it. And it's an honor to be picked (MVP). Everybody played great and never gave up."

Both Treace and Morehouse have older sisters who played at SFHS (Alexis Treace and Taylor Morehouse) who took runner-up trophies but not the big one.

Rebecca Morehouse said it was a team effort. "It feels amazing. Doing it all for the glory of God, too, of course. But it's awesome. It's like everybody is working together pulling for each other out there.

"And if somebody makes a mistake, we pick each other up. The way coach is switching us in rotations now just seems like the best chemistry we've had on the court all year since we started and we're all coming together as a team."

The Lady Toros (18-3 overall, 2-0 in area) are ranked No. 9 in 5A. They have a week off of competition for testing then resume play Friday and Saturday in a tournament at Hoover.