Local volleyball teams reflect on season start

By Macy Reeves for the FCT

High school volleyball teams in Franklin County have been hitting the court, at home and away, and each has its own successes to focus on.

Belgreen

Belgreen hosted its first home match of the season. Both Belgreen’s JV and varsity teams swept Tharptown’s JV and varsity. Belgreen’s JV began the night by winning 2-0 with scores of 25-12 and 25-15. Captain Katie Dempsey led the team with three hits and two kills. Dempsey and Ansley Tate also added points with four aces each. Krista Sikes had five aces, and Camie Terrell had eight aces for the night. Autumn Bragwell led the team with no errors in passing to help the JV win the match. The JV is now 2-0 for the season.

Varsity followed the JV by sweeping Tharptown’s varsity 3-0, winning 25-14, 25-17 and 25-8. Senior Captain Allyson Bragwell, led the team with three kills and eight aces. Newcomer Mattie Hovater also had three kills. Johnna Oliver led the team in aces with five. The team as a whole only had five errors in serving the entire match.

Both the JV and varsity will play Cherokee at home Sept. 10, and the varsity will play at home Sept. 8 in a tri-match with Decatur Heritage and Waterloo.

Tharptown

On Sept. 5 Tharptown varsity volleyball played the first matches of the season, against Phillips and Belgreen, losing both 3-0.

“We’ve got better and better each game though. We’re a real young and inexperienced team. Our nerves really showed the first couple of games, but when we played Belgreen Thursday, I really liked what I saw. We competed, and we’re getting better each practice and each game,” said Coach Tana Benford.

Tharptown’s next game will be Sept. 10 at Belmont.

Russellville

Russellville varsity volleyball played their first matches in a tournament, which included Muscle Shoals High School, Curry High School and James Clemens High School.

Russellville versus Muscle Shoals High School was losing 11-25, 13-25, 25-16, 20-25 and 16-25. Russellville saw a little victory against Curry High School, winning 25-19, 25-19 and 15-13, but losing against Curry, 24-26 in one match. Russellville lost against James Clemens High School, 10-25 and 11-25.

Patricia Borden, one of the captains, had a total of 27 kills. Megan Brockway, the other captain, had the most digs with 51 digs. Kalli Beth Daniel tied with Borden, also having 27 kills and also leading in aces with nine. Michaela Smith had the most blocks with a total of 20.

Russellville will have its next match Sept. 8 at Fairview.