BHS volleyball heads into season
BHS varsity volleyball this year includes: (front row) Tessa Chandler, Allyson Bragwell and Kylie Murray; (middle row) Anna Humphries, Shellie Barber and Brianna Wood; and (back row) Nicole Borden, Mattie Hovater, Ana Castillo and Johnna Oliver.
By Alison James
alison.james@fct.wpengine.com
Despite a summer during which practice time was limited, Belgreen is already showing itself to be a master on the court with a few summer practice matches.
“JV and varsity both beat Belmont,” said Coach Teresa Whitten. “JV and varsity both beat Phillips. Our varsity is the only team that played Covenant – we beat them too.”
At an event at Cherokee Thursday, the girls played opponent teams for 45 minutes and came out with a few key wins. “We beat Waterloo, one of the only two 1A schools that beat us last year, 89-34 in 45 minutes. We were excited about that,” Whitten said. “And we held Wilson, which is a 4A school, under 60 points (final score 59-34). We were the only team to do that there.”
BHS also logged a win against Cherokee’s B team and lost by only five points to Cherokee’s A team and won against Wilson’s B team.
In Whitten’s fourth year as a coach, she returns four starters on her varsity team. She’s also seeing a lot of new talent this year – athletes who have jumped over from the basketball court and will play both sports this year.
“I think winning Area last year opened some people eyes that we’re in this to win; we’re not just out here playing volleyball,” Whitten said. “They see that we’re serious – as serious as basketball is. I can’t do things halfway. It’s either 100 percent or I’m not doing it.”
BHS junior varsity volleyball this year includes: (front row) Bailey Oliver and Autumn Bragwell; (middle row) Callie Barber, Rachel Riley and Ansley Tate; and (back row) Emma Dempsey and Camie Terrell. (Not pictured, Katie Dempsey and Krista Sikes)
Whitten said BHS volleyball program will be different this year with the graduation of power player Laken Bragwell.
“She was kind of the one person who either made the match, or it was over quickly,” “She was our go-to person, and she set the tone. This year, it’s more of a team. They are really coming together as a team. Kylie (Murray) and Allyson (Bragwell) are both just wonderful captains and leaders. They really kept the team motivated (at Cherokee).”
Whitten isn’t the only person taking notice of her team’s talent this year.
“Judson College came and watched Allyson and Kylie play here … and said they worked really well together. They asked them to come and try out for Judson College’s volleyball team. So that was exciting for us,” Whitten said. “And UNA’s already got their eye on Autumn Bragwell and Katie Dempsey for the future because they are just amazed with how good they are, in eighth grade. UNA’s coach said she’s never seen anyone pass like Autumn Bragwell does.”
When it comes to this year’s schedule, Whitten said there is one match-up the team is really excited about: St. Bernard.
“We played them at Super Regionals and got put out and should not have,” Whitten said, citing unfair penalty points as their primary issue. “I’m looking forward to seeing them again because we’re going to show them, on a neutral court, what we can actually do.”
BHS will also face off against area opponents Covenant Christian and Hackleburg at home. The first game of the season will be away at Sheffield Aug. 27.
Whitten said all the team focuses on is winning Area – and going farther – again this year.
“This is something (Allyson), really really wants – and Kylie, too. That’s all they talk about, think about,” Whitten said.
