"On and off the court, weekends, study parties -- everything we do, we do together," said Lions senior outside hitter Margaret Ann Nale, who finished with 10 kills.
The Lions beat Monroe 25-17, 25-19, 26-24 and didn't drop a set in three tournament wins to earn their second consecutive state championship.
But last year's team was led by all-state performers Anna Simmers and Chelsea Dyson, and this year's group wanted its own championship trophy.
"They wanted to prove they could do it without Anna and Chelsea, and they did," said ACS coach Crystal Dyson.
Debbiey Simmers, who led the Lions with 14 kills and six blocks, said the championship is special because of the close-knit nature of the team.
"This year, we're all connected, we're all feeding off each other," she said.
ACS was simply unstoppable from the opening serve, an ace by senior outside hitter Karley Madren. Madren also scored the final point of the set, using a sneaky two-handed tip to finish off an easy 25-17 win.
Between Madren's points, ACS's other front-line seniors -- Simmers, Nale, Sarah Sullivan and Ryan Meeks -- were busy pummeling the Rams with powerful hits off precise sets from senior Chantell Bennett.
"They hammered us big time," said Monroe coach Michael Lessley.
And when the Rams were able to return a ball, more often than not it was handled by ACS senior libero Olivia James, who finished with 10 digs.
In the third set, ACS fended off set point and then rallied to take the match 26-24.
"They're undefeated for a reason," Lessley said.
Katie Young led Monroe with five kills and three blocks, Bella Evans had five kills and one block and Lexi Tompkins picked up four kills and two blocks.
There were no tears on the losing sideline following the match, as Monroe players smiled and congratulated each other on a successful run through the tournament.
"Next year," several girls repeated to each other. "Next year."
Monroe will lose just three seniors after this season, and Lessley said he hopes his squad learned a valuable lesson from Saturday's championship match.
"They're the defending state champions, they've been here before and done it," he said. "Now my girls have seen it, and hopefully next year, they'll do it too."
While Monroe was left to wait for next season, ACS celebrated the final match of a magical year.
"Some of the girls were sad," Simmers said. "But this is just so awesome. I'm going to leave some great memories behind."
Coach Dyson said she'll be sad to see so many seniors go but added the program is strong enough to produce new leaders.
"They'll just step in and fill those roles," she said.
And they won't have a choice but to continue the winning tradition, Dyson said.
"They know that's what's expected of them," she said.
Grace hangs on
Grace Christian held off a tough Dillingham squad, earning a 28-26, 25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 15-9 win to claim third place for the second time in three years.
Last year's state runners-up, Grace also finished third in 2007.
Dillingham was making its first state tournament appearance at the 3A level.
Junior outside hitter Megan Barnes led the Grizzlies with 25 kills and three aces despite playing with an injured hitting hand.
"She was amazing," said Grace coach Connie Weisenfelder.
Grace also got eight kills each from sophomore Brooke Leadbetter and senior Danis Henderson, and senior setter Allison Pargeter had 43 assists.
Pargeter and Henderson are Grace's only seniors, and Weisenfelder said the team's future looks bright.
"We're young, and we'll be back again next year," she said.
In Saturday's other consolation match, a battle of Southeast foes was no battle at all as Mt. Edgecumbe easily handled Petersburg 25-6, 25-20, 25-23 to claim fourth place for the second consecutive season.
Find Matt Tunseth online at adn.com/contact/mtunseth or call 257-4335.
All-tournament team
Kristi Smeaton, Dillingham; Allison Pargeter, Grace; Katie Young, Monroe; Jordyn Byrer, Petersburg; Chantell Bennett, ACS; Megan Barnes, Grace; Bessie Binkowski, Mt. Edgecumbe; Christina Fields, Mt. Edgecumbe; Erica Wells, Delta; Monica Clark, Monroe; Karley Madren, ACS; Debbiey Simmers, ACS
Outstanding server: Christina Fields, Mt. Edgecumbe
Outstanding setter: Allison Pargeter, Grace Christian
Outstanding hitter: Debbiey Simmers, ACS
Outstanding defensive specialist: Monica Clark, Monroe Catholic
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