County volleyball teams prep for fall season
By Bart Moss for the FCT
July is the month football teams begin to prepare for the upcoming season in earnest with amped up workouts and seven-on-seven camps. The month of July is also when volleyball teams begin to prepare for their fall seasons. Belgreen and Tharptown have been sharpening their skills over the past few weeks as they lead into what appears to be a competitive season.
Belgreen began a volleyball program in 2011. Since 2013, the team has made it to Super Regionals each year. Last year the team made it to the Sweet Sixteen, falling to the state’s runner-up Decatur Heritage.
Belgreen coach Teresa Whitten says her team is approaching the upcoming season with high expectations.
“Expectations are running high for the program,” said Whitten. “We are returning some valuable players who have solid experience.”
With those expectations come focused, hard work during the off-season. But July is kind of like pre-season, not off-season, so their work is even more focused.
The Bulldogs hosted a playdate in early July with matches against Tharptown, Hackleburg, Colbert Heights and Belmont. Later that same week, the Bulldogs traveled to Lauderdale County High School to face off against some bigger schools like Muscle Shoals, Deshler and Fairview.
The Bulldogs still have some playdates remaining at Russellville and Tharptown before their official practice begins in August.
“We competed well against some stiff competition,” said Whitten. “And we looked pretty good.
“We have some things we need to work on. We need to work hard to iron out the edges, but I like where we are, and our girls have the work ethic and attitude to keep getting better.”
Tracey Fretwell is in her second year as the volleyball coach of the Tharptown Wildcats after a brief hiatus.
“We lost three seniors but have some good hitters coming back,” said Fretwell. “We have been working out hard all summer to get ready for the season. We went to camp at the University of North Alabama, and we had a good showing and got closer as a team.
“Our girls are fired up about the season starting,” said Whitten. “We have a lot of work to do, and we are going to work hard.”
Like the Bulldogs, the Wildcats have participated in several play dates to improve their skills and team play.
“I really like this team and feel good about this year,” said Fretwell. “The players have put in the work and found a love for this game. They will be a force to be reckoned with this year. My junior high team has shown they are serious about learning and winning.
“Overall, I believe my second year back will be even better than the first.”
Fretwell said she knows her team is “looking forward to starting the season and competing. That is what it is all about – the competition,” said Fretwell. “We will be working hard from now until our first competition in August.”
Tharptown and Belgreen will begin their seasons in late August. Tharptown will open the season at Hackleburg Aug. 31 against the Panthers and Brilliant. Belgreen will open the season at home hosting Tishomingo County (Mississippi) and Colbert County.
