Belgreen volleyball has best season in history of program

The Belgreen Lady Bulldogs finished their regular volleyball season with the best record they have had in the team’s six-year program – a momentous feat in itself. However, as the saying goes, “but that’s not all.”

The Lady Bulldogs won their first round at Super-Regionals Thursday – a historic first for Belgreen, which made it as far as Super-Regionals by winning their first round of the Area tournament, defeating Hackleburg, Oct. 17.

In the Super-Regionals in Huntsville, versus Berry, Coach Teresa Whitten said her girls really showed what they were made of.

“This year we faced Berry, who was their Area’s champions,” Whitten said. Belgreen had lost its Area to Phillips Oct. 17 after defeating Hackleburg. “We were shaky the first set and lost that set, but the next three sets, we played hard and won, advancing to the Sweet 16 – a new first for Belgreen High School’s volleyball program. The girls were super excited. One said, leaving the court, ‘This is the best feeling ever!'”

The Lady Bulldogs proceeded to a match against the No. 2 team in the state, Decatur Heritage.

“We played them last year for the very first time, and it was not nice,” Whitten said. “However, my girls did not let that memory stop them for trying their best. We lost the first set, 25-18; the second set was our worst, 25-8; and the last set was 25-17.”

Whitten said the loss was disappointing, but “as a coach, I feel like it is just another step closer in what we are trying to do here at Belgreen. One time during the Decatur Heritage match, I realized that I had four freshmen and two sophomores on the court, and they were holding their own against the No. 2 team in the state.”

She added, “I am so proud of our accomplishments that we have made this year and of how the girls show good sportsmanship at all times. They are a special group of young ladies.”

Belgreen finished their regular season 14-12 and finished second in the Area.