It was a nice tournament. It was an even nicer tournament for the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers.

Ironton held its annual volleyball tournament Saturday with the Coal Grove Lady Hornets and South Point Lady Pointers participating in the round robin event.

The Lady Tigers proved to be rude hosts as they swept the competition to claim the tournament championship.

"The girls played really well. It's hard to single anyone out because all the girls contributed," Ironton first-year coach Beth Freeman said.

"It was a very competitive tournament. South Point has a real nice team, and Coal Grove is Coal Grove. They just scrap and battle you all the way."

In the first match, Ironton beat Coal Grove in straight sets, 15-9, 15-5.

Rachel Wylie had 12 points and 30 assists to lead Ironton. Jamie Parker scored eight points and Candace Ferguson recorded eight kills to aid in the win.

South Point won the second match by downing Coal Grove 15-7, 15-5 and setting up the title match.

In a classic battle, Ironton won in three sets, 15-12, 11-15, 15-11.

Wylie had nine points and 67 assists, Ferguson scored 11 points and had eight more kills, Andrea Rudmann had six points and nine kills, and Ashley Hannon had six points and five kills.

Ferguson earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors for her efforts. Wylie and Hannon were selected to the all-tournament team.

South Point was represented on the all-tournament team by Allison Perdue and Tish Koukas, and Coal Grove's Sarah Brammer and Ashley Dickess earned similar honors.

Ironton, now 5-0, plays at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Rock Hill. The Associated Press