BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity volleyball team bowed out of the state regional championship tournament last week, falling to Atholton, 3-0, in the sectional title game.

Decatur entered the 3A-East Section II tournament as the number-two seed and earned a first-round bye. It its opening game in the sectional tournament, the Seahawks faced familiar Bayside Conference rival Bennett, which had beaten Northeast in its state playoff opener.

If it’s true familiarity breeds contempt, then the varsity volleyball rivalry between Decatur and Bennett certainly fits the bill. The Clippers beat Decatur, 3-2, back on September 16 and the Seahawks returned the favor, beating the Clippers, 3-2, on October 10 in the rematch.

Something had to give last week when the Seahawks and Clippers met for a third time in the second round of the 3A-East sectional. Decatur rallied past Bennett, 3-1, to advance to the sectional final. However, Decatur had to face top-seeded Atholton. In the end, Atholton blanked Decatur, 3-0, to advance.