BEULAH — The Beulah varsity volleyball team (3-0, 1-0) defeated Dadeville 25-17, 25-11, 22-25, 25-23 to earn its first area win of the season on Tuesday night.

“This was a hard-fought win,” Beulah head volleyball coach Allison Aikens said. “I thought the girls did really well. Dadeville has a pretty good team. It was our first area game this season and I thought both teams played well. Luckily, we pulled it out there  in the end, which  is just what I wanted.”

Dadeville challenged Beulah early in set one in a close 17-25 decision in favor of the Bobcats.

Beulah then dominated the second set, winning 25-11, on the verge of winning its ninth-consecutive set to begin this season.

“I think we let our guard down just a little bit,” Aikens said. “They came back and we didn’t put the game away in game three, which forced a game four.”

Dadeville used the momentum the team built at the end of the third set to compete in the fourth set with the Bobcats. After freshman left hitter Amya Dunn got the Bobcats out to an early lead in the final set as a server, the visitors went point-for-point with Beulah in set four. The road fans and JV Dadeville players cheered louder and louder as the road team trailed 22-24. Beulah kept its composure and won the final set when a Dadeville serve failed to make it over the net.

“[With] teams we’ve had in the past, I think we would have folded under pressure,” Aikens said. “This team, between the senior leadership and some of the other girls, have really pulled it together. I didn’t have to really encourage them to do it, they are self-motivated to win, which is a good thing to see.” 

Senior middle hitter Danielle Williams led the team with five assists, four kills and two blocked shots in the victory. Senior middle hitter Camryn Harris had four assists, while sophomore left hitter Katie Morris finished with eight assists.

“Sydney [Knight]’s sets were really nice,” Williams said. “They were helping me out getting my spikes. With my serves, I was just trying to get the ball over the net…I think this team can make it to Montgomery. I believe in my team this year, they’re really good.”

Beulah returns to action on Wednesday night with a trip to LaGrange High School. The junior varsity match begins at 5:30 p.m. EDT. with the varsity match following.