No. 6 Belgreen volleyball starts strong

By Bart Moss for the FCT

The sixth-ranked Belgreen Bulldogs volleyball team is off to a good start.

The Bulldogs played their first regular season matches of the season at Colbert Heights last Tuesday – a tri-match with Colbert County and Colbert Heights.

Belgreen defeated Colbert County. Katie Dempsey finished with five kills, while her younger sister, Emma Dempsey, finished with six kills. Callie Barber led the team with nine aces, and setter Autumn Bragwell had 15 assists, a kill, and two aces to help lead the Lady Bulldogs to their first regular season win.

The team was without starting outside hitter Ansley Tate, who is suffering from a shoulder injury. She is expected to be back in action this week.

Belgreen suffered another injury prior to their second match when junior Kaycee Wilson twisted her ankle, leaving her unable to play.

“Kaycee is a defensive specialist and has become an outside hitter since Ansley is unable to play,” said Belgreen coach Teresa Whitten. Wilson is expected to be out for two to three weeks.

Belgreen also played in a tournament at Muscle Shoals over the weekend, coming in second in pool play. They lost to the No. 1 ranked team in 1A, the Addison Bulldogs, 2-0. They beat Mars Hill and East Lawrence 2-1 but lost to Winston County 2-1 in tournament play.

Middle hitter Emma Dempsey accumulated 36 kills, six aces and five blocks. Katie Dempsey had 25 kills and seven aces. Bragwell had 69 assists and seven aces. Newcomer Kaley Chandler had 12 kills and 14 aces.