BY DANIEL SCHMIDT
THE OBSERVER
BEAUREGARD — Beauregard High School overcame a third-set meltdown on the road against Valley High School to earn its first Class 4A Area 6 win of the season on Sept. 9.
The Lady Hornets (8-1, 1-0) defeated the Lady Rams (2-3, 0-1) 3-1 on the road. Beauregard won Set 1 25-17, Set 2 25-21 and Set 4 28-26, while Valley won Set 3 25-14.
After the Lady Hornets relatively cruised to two straight set wins to begin the match, they had to dig deep to come out on the winning end of six set points in the final frame.
According to Beauregard head coach Trent Powell, the Lady Hornets had a heart-to-heart after losing the third set and rallied against a scrappy Lady Rams team.
“We just had to reset and come together. We felt like we were the better team, and we just needed to make some adjustments and communicate a little better, so we fixed those things in the last set,” Powell said.
Kalise Culbertson, who continued a monster junior season for Beauregard last Wednesday, Sept. 2, said the Lady Hornets gathered after the pivotal third set and told each other that they had to do better.
“We trusted each other and what we do in practice within the game,” Culbertson said. “Everything’s not going to be perfect. We’re going to have to make corrections in volleyball like every other sport in general. But I feel like we made the adjustment, stuck to it and didn’t give up on ourselves or each other.”
As what had appeared to be a sure result seemed to slip right through their fingers, the Lady Hornets dug deep and rotated heavily through their bench to find the winning touch.
Powell said Beauregard managed to pull through due to its depth and versatility.
“Right now, two of our best players and seniors are injured, so we’re playing a whole different formation than we’ve played all year,” Powell said. “It’s a big win with all we’ve been dealt. Madison’s leading the team in kills, and we don’t have her right now. My setters set all the way around, and we’ve got two younger girls — well, one’s a senior, but she’s not asked to set all the time — who’ve had to step up.”
Despite coming up on the losing end, Valley left its home court with little to be ashamed about. After losing the first two sets, the Lady Rams took advantage of numerous Lady Hornets mistakes in the third set before dialing up the pressure in the fourth set.
“I’m extremely, extremely proud of them,” Valley head coach Demia Mitchell said. “I think they shocked themselves, but they didn’t shock me because I knew they could do it. They have the talent and skill. Next time, we’ll get them. That’s for sure.”
Beauregard faced Smiths Station High School on the road on Sept. 15 and Area 6 opponent Tallassee High School at home on Sept. 16. Neither of those results were available by Tuesday’s deadline.
The Lady Hornets will travel to face Tallassee in the return leg of the doubleheader on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m.
The Lady Rams hosted Beulah High School on Sept. 10 and traveled to face Elmore County High School and hosted Lanett High School on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16, respectively.
Valley is set to host Reeltown High School on Monday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m.
