It’s not every day you get to go out on top but Pleasant Valley coach Dana Bryant can now claim as much.

The top-ranked Raiders pulled a clean sweep of sixth-ranked Sand Rock, 25-13, 26-24 and 25-18, in the 2023 AHSAA Class 2A title match Wednesday at Birmingham’s Bill Harris Arena.

Pleasant Valley (40-12) captures its sixth volleyball title in program history, the first since winning two straight from 1996 to 1997, and reeled off nine straight wins after dropping the first set of the state tournament.

“I couldn’t ask for a better time to go out,” Bryant said. “This is my last season and they’re a phenomenal group of girls. They don’t just have the aspects of the champion but they have the heart of a champion. They love each other. They play hard and they love what they do. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Bryant, who led the program to six state tournaments in 18 seasons, not only coached her squad to a state title on her 47th birthday but also announced her retirement following the match.

“I couldn’t get a better birthday present,” she said.

Lily Henry was named tournament MVP for her efforts in producing 14 kills and 3 digs in the title match and 50 kills and 29 digs in the Raiders’ three-match tournament run. She increases her career numbers to 1,541 kills and 1,469 digs.

“We knew we could do it,” Henry said. “I just didn’t realize until the last point.”

The Raiders broke an early 2-2 tie in the first set, building a 10-4 lead, and took full control on a 7-1 run for a 17-6 advantage. Sand Rock trimmed the deficit to single digits but a final 7-3 run allowed Pleasant Valley to take the first set. Pleasant Valley jumped ahead of the Wildcats in the second set, 6-1, but allowed Sand Rock to rally and take a 13-7 lead. The Raiders managed their own comeback and took the set 26-24 after battling off the set point and forcing extra time.

Pleasant Valley once more bolted out to a significant advantage but did not allow a rally in building a 20-8 lead. The Wildcats hit a 6-1 run to pull within seven points but were unable to force a fourth set.

“Slaying giants, I have used that analogy for the rest of our season,” Bryant said. “I said, “Ladies, we’re on a warpath to slay giants,” and Sand Rock was our last chance to slay the champions.”

Allie Bryant had 15 digs and seven kills, putting her career totals at 1,145 kills and 1,518 digs, and Maddie Schwabe posted 26 assists, nine digs, five kills and four aces, bringing her career assist total to 1,982 assists. Madi Hay added 12 digs, followed by Maddison Schwabe with seven digs and four kills, and Ellie Patterson and Ella Parris combined for seven kills.

Katelyn St.Clair led the Wildcats with 18 kills and 11 digs, followed by Rylin St.Clair with 20 assists. Chloe Stephens had 13 digs and Bethany Davis had nine digs and two kills.

Joining Henry on the All-Tournament team were teammates Bryant, (Maddie) Schwabe and Hay, along with Sand Rock’s Katelyn and Rylin St.Clair.

All matches of the 53rd AHSAA Elite Eight State Volleyball Championships are being live-streamed over the NFHS Network subscriber-based platform and can be accessed at www.nfhsnetwork.com.