Coach Erwin Harrell’s Grace Christian Academy Lady Cougars volleyball team defeated the Bethlehem Christian Academy Lady Knights, 3-0, Saturday at Grace’s Perry Memorial Gymnasium, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) State Tournament.

The Lady Cougars and Lady Knights were second and third in Region 3-AA. Grace won the first set 25-3, took the second set, 25-18, and captured the third set, 25-14.

The state quarterfinals will be this Friday, Oct. 26, in Augusta, Ga. The Lady Cougars will play the Harvester Christian Academy Lady Hawks, of Douglasville, Ga., the first place team from Region 2-AA. A victory over Harvester would send the Lady Cats, who are 12-7 overall, into the semifinals later Friday.

Harvester defeated Providence Christian School, of Savannah, Ga., in the first round.

In their Saturday win, the Lady Cougars were led by Melissa Mills, with 13 kills and 10 ace serves, Merrianna Parker, with 21 assists and a 100-percent serve percentage, and Kelsey Harrell, with seven ace serves and a 95-percent serve percentage.

Also turning in strong efforts were Lindsey Duke, with a 100-percent serve percentage, Kendi Castoro, with nine digs, and Emilee Murr, with seven digs.