The host Morgan Academy Lady Senators got off to a dominating start in the region tournament, as they defeated the Coosa Valley Academy Lady Rebels 3-0 (25-9, 25-6, 25-10) on Monday.

The win advances the Lady Senators (32-6) to the semifinals of the Alabama Independent School Association Class 2A Region 2 tournament where they’ll face the winner of Tuscaloosa and Autauga on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Jennifer Moore, head volleyball coach of Morgan Academy, said the win puts her team on the right track going into its semifinal matchup on Tuesday.

“It’s good to get a win like that in order to help the girls prepare for the next round,” Moore said. “It just helps them get into the rhythm of the game.”

The Lady Senators were tied 8-8 early in the first set, but powered ahead and would never trail again in the set as a service ace by Megan Leigh Siddens and a kill by Anna Kate Mock-Jordan helped give Morgan the lead.

Morgan jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the second set before the Lady Rebels could score.

The third set was close early with Morgan trailing at 4-3, but a kill by Ashley Friday helped put the Lady Senators ahead for good in the match, as the Lady Rebels would only get as close as 7-6 the rest of the way.

Lauren Yeldell had five service aces for Morgan.

Moore said the Lady Senators are looking to put themselves in the best position to make it to the state championship.

“Our goal right now is to just get to the state championship, which means we have to win our first game tomorrow (Tuesday), and the region championship game which will be here tomorrow at 7 p.m. will determine seeding,” Moore said. “We’d like to be the No. 1 seed going in because, if you’re No. 1 seed, you have to play the No. 2 seed from the other region. It’s good to go in as the No. 1 seed because it gives you a little bit of a comfort zone. Our goal remains just to get there right now.”

The winners of Tuesday’s semifinals games at Morgan starting at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. will play later that night at 7 p.m. in the region championship game.