This roundup of Franklin County varsity volleyball action includes matches played September 29 through October 4.

Belgreen initiated the week on Monday, September 29, with an area contest against Mars Hill, losing in four sets (17-25, 29-27, 16-25, 11-25). Carson Hovater had 12 kills, Alayna Tate recorded 19 assists and 14 digs, Lilliana Willingham finished with 18 digs, and Bryn Scott had 23 digs in the defeat.

Then on Thursday the Lady Bulldogs played two matches at Phil Campbell against the Lady Bobcats and the Hamilton Lady Aggies. BHS defeated Phil Campbell in straight sets, 25-20, 25-14 before beating Hamilton 2-0 (25-10, 25-19). In the two matches that evening, Willingham combined for 15 kills and Tate made 29 assists.

Belgreen capped the week off at the Franklin County Tournament where they lost to Tharptown in the final. The Lady Bulldogs started off against Red Bay, beating RBHS in two sets, 25-22, 25-9; BHS later eliminated the Lady Tigers in three sets in their next meeting. BHS ended up playing Tharptown three times during the tournament, losing two—one in group play and in the championship final—and winning one match, the match that sent the championship to a winner-take-all game two. Bryn Scott and Lilliana Willingham were selected to the all-tournament team.

Belgreen heads into its next week of play with a 20-13 overall record.

Phil Campbell started off the week on Tuesday with a match against Colbert County in which the Lady Bobcats pulled out a win in a 3-2 thriller. Phil Campbell and Colbert County traded the opening four sets 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, and 29-27 (PCHS scores first) but it was the Lady Bobcats who were able to come away with the decisive fifth set, beating the Lady Indians 15-13.

On October 2, Phil Campbell held its Senior Night and hosted Belgreen and Hamilton. The Lady Bobcats lost to Belgreen but earned a 2-1 win over Hamilton to end Senior Night off on a happy note. Seniors Avery Cummings, Ava Hall, and Roxi Molina were honored after the Hamilton match.

PCHS ended the week at the Franklin County Tournament on Saturday where they lost to Tharptown 2-0 (17-25, 14-25) and Red Bay 2-0 (22-25, 15-25).

Red Bay played one match during the week, a road game at area rival Lamar County. The Lady Tigers lost that match 3-0.

At the Franklin County Tournament, Red Bay played three matches. RBHS lost to Belgreen in its opening contest before beating Phil Campbell 25-22, 25-15. The Lady Tigers were later eliminated by another loss to eventual county runner-up, Belgreen.

Russellville began its week with home matches against Covenant Christian and Colbert County. The Lady Golden Tigers dispatched Covenant Christian 2-1 (25-16, 19-25, 15-8) before easily sweeping Colbert County 2-0 (25-7, 25-3). Senior Laila Hill led RHS with 18 combined kills in the two matches, senior setter Fatima Ramirez finished with 18 assists, and sophomore libero Bri McCulloch recorded 24 digs on the night. Sophomore Blevyn Sappington led the team with six aces.

On the following evening, Tuesday, Russellville held its Senior Night. The team recognized its two seniors, Fatima Ramirez and Laila Hill before the match against Rogers. On the court the Lady Golden Tigers secured a 3-0 victory beating the Lady Pirates 25-12, 25-10, 25-9. Hill led the RHS attack with nine kills in the match. Ramirez and Alexia Groce had 11 assists each. Bri McCulloch ended the match with 15 digs.

Russellville capped the week off with a tournament at West Morgan where the Lady Golden Tigers finished runner-up. RHS defeated Grissom 2-1, Decatur Heritage 2-0, and West Morgan 2-0 en route to the championship round match against St. John Paul II. The Lady Golden Tigers fell to JPII in three sets, 2-1 (20-25, 25-23, 12-15). In tournament championship game, Hill led the team with 12 kills and Sappington had nine kills, McCulloch had 14 digs, and Ramirez had 13 assists.

Russellville finished the week with a 36-14 record.

Tharptown started its week off Monday at Sheffield with a 3-0 victory, beating the Lady Bulldogs 25-16, 25-15, 25-19. It was followed by a 3-0 loss at Mars Hill on Tuesday and a 3-0 loss at Covenant Christian on Thursday.

The Lady Wildcats did cap the week off, though, with a championship title, winning the Franklin County Tournament over the reigning county champion, Belgreen. You can read the full story on Tharptown’s county championship victory HERE.