The Maplesville Red Devils hosted a six-team middle school volleyball tournament on Sept. 8.

Maplesville was one of three county teams to take part in the tournament, as well as Clanton and Thorsby. Marbury, West Blocton and Echols were the other three teams.

The tournament got started in the morning and continued throughout the day with each team playing four games in pool play prior to the single-elimination portion of the event.

Echols defeated Marbury in the championship game to win the tournament, but both Clanton and Maplesville put forth good showings and held their own against the tough competition.

Maplesville defeated Thorsby 25-18, 25-12 in the first round to advance in the best-of-three format that was used throughout the tournament.

It was a familiar matchup between the two teams, who had met just a week earlier during another Red Devils’ victory.

It has been a learning year for each of Thorsby’s squads, and the middle school team once again showed that the program is working toward improvement and focused on a long-term goal.

Clanton followed a similar path to Maplesville with an opening round win over West Blocton 25-8, 25-8.

Their runs came to an end in the quarterfinals, as Maplesville lost to the eventual champion Echols 25-12, 25-18, while Clanton lost to Marbury 25-14, 25-8.

Maplesville and Clanton both picked up a pair of victories in pool play and finished second place in their respective pool.