Thompson Sweeps Auburn in Class 6A Quarterfinals
Thompson High School swept Auburn High School 3-0 in the AHSAA Class 6A volleyball state quarterfinals at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Volleyball
Thompson High School defeated Auburn High School 3-0 in the AHSAA Class 6A volleyball state quarterfinals, winning sets 25-16, 25-14 and 25-17. Thompson went on to finish as Class 6A state runner-up after Bob Jones High School won the championship match 3-2.
Why it matters
The loss ended Auburn's season at 8-21 and closed a year that included a regular-season meeting with Thompson in Alabaster on Oct. 1, also a 3-0 Thompson win. Thompson's run to the title match reflects a program that carried its strength through the state tournament.
Kayleigh Kinser recorded 10 kills and 10 digs for Auburn, while Maddy Henderson posted 11 kills and 14 assists for Thompson in the quarterfinal. Thompson's sets were 25-16, 25-14 and 25-17.
The players
Thompson High School
Thompson High School is an Alabama public high school in the Thompson school district that reached the Class 6A volleyball state final, finishing as runner-up.
Bob Jones High School
Bob Jones High School is an Alabama public high school in Huntsville that won the 2026 Class 6A volleyball state championship over Thompson.
Auburn High School
Auburn High School is an Alabama public high school in Auburn whose volleyball team lost in the Class 6A state quarterfinals.
The details
Auburn's season ended in the quarterfinal at the Birmingham CrossPlex, where Thompson swept the match in three sets. Auburn started three freshmen, while a fourth freshman missed the season with a torn ACL, and the Tigers lose seniors Jada Esters, Annie Payne and Ryan Presley.
Timeline
Oct. 1: Thompson defeated Auburn 3-0 in Alabaster during the regular season.
Oct. 27: Thompson defeated Auburn 3-0 in the Class 6A state quarterfinals.
Oct. 28: Bob Jones defeated Thompson 3-2 in the Class 6A state championship.
Season Trajectory
Thompson's run to the Class 6A title match extends a season that included a 3-0 win over Auburn in the regular season and a 31-9 finish. Auburn's 8-21 season ended in the quarterfinals, leaving a young roster that started three freshmen.
Auburn's roster returns several young players after three freshmen started this season, while Thompson loses its senior class. The result leaves Auburn with a foundation for next season as the program rebuilds around its returning starters.
The takeaway
Teams that build around young players can gain experience through tournament losses, as Auburn's freshmen did this season. Tracking returning rosters helps readers judge how a program may perform the following year.
Further reading
For more high school results, see Volleyball coverage across Alabama.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opelika Observer.
