But with the championship match tied at two sets apiece, the Lady Chargers fell 15-11 in the final set to give Charlotte Latin its fifth straight NCISAA 3-A title. Latin was playing on its home floor on Saturday, and prevailed 25-18, 14-25, 25-20, 21-25 and 15-11.

Latin started strong against Cary Academy, which was making its first appearance in the championship game. The Hawks, behind Jones and freshman Eve Davis (15 kills, 26 digs), jumped ahead out quickly in a rematch of the season-opening match won by the Chargers.

“We had something to prove, and we did,” Latin coach Suzie Pignetti said. “We hopped on early, we played with a lot of emotion and a lot of heart. We passed well and our offense seemed to click. Our serving was tough, which took them out of their offense.”

But Cary Academy, led by its all-state picks – outside hitter Ashleigh Crutcher and setter Cate Glendenning – stormed back. The Chargers (30-1) picked up their passing attack in the second and fourth games, taking advantage of Crutcher’s power at the net to pull even.

“We played well,” Cary Academy coach Melanie Bryant said. “We just kind of fell apart at crucial points, and we just had a hard time picking ourselves back up. Charlotte Latin is a strong team, and Suzie always seems to make it work, no matter what she’s handed.”

The fifth game was all Latin, which led jumped in front 9-2 and cruised home with the title, exacting a measure of revenge for the Hawks.

“All we wanted was a rematch, and we got it,” said Jones, one of three Hawks chosen named to the all-state team along with outside hitter Blair Carson and setter Delaney Dalton.