Belgreen gets area win over Tharptown

By Bart Moss for the FCT

The Belgreen Bulldog volleyball program improved to 2-1 in regular season play and 1-0 in area play after recent action. Belgreen beat Tharptown in three straight sets to get their first area win of the season.

The Lady Bulldogs also hosted their first-ever volleyball tournament Saturday, an eight-team competition.

Belgreen defeated both Tharptown and Hackleburg in tournament play but lost to Covenant Christian in pool play. The Bulldogs lost to Colbert Heights in the semi-finals of tournament play.

“We have been battling injuries since August,” said Belgreen coach Teresa Whitten. “We have finally got one of our stronger hitters back, Ansley Tate, but we are still without defensive specialist Kaycee Wilson.

“This is not what we anticipated coming into the season, but just like life, we have to deal with obstacles. In the end, I hope it makes us stronger mentally.”

Sophomore setter Autumn Bragwell had 21 assists, two kills, two aces, and one block in the Bulldogs area match against Tharptown. For the tournament, Bragwell had 57 assists, ten kills, seven aces and three blocks.

Freshman middle hitter Emma Dempsey had ten kills and two aces against Tharptown. In the tournament, Dempsey had 29 kills, nine aces and two blocks.

Sophomore Katie Dempsey had seven kills, nine digs, and four aces against Tharptown. In the tournament, the she had 24 kills and 39 digs.

In the area match against Tharptown, Belgreen had 29 kills and 22 aces.

Sophomore Ansley Tate, who returned for her first match after a shoulder injury, accumulated 11 aces and four kills against county rival Tharptown.

The Bulldogs are 5-7 in tournament play thus far.

“The next couple of weeks are going to be a real test for us,” said Whitten. “I have faith our team will rise to the occasion.”