Upset-minded Valley comes up just short
BY DANIEL SCHMIDT
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — Valley High School fell in the fourth set of a high-energy Class 4A Area 6 opener to Beauregard High School at home on Sept. 9.
Despite seizing some late momentum, the Lady Rams (3-3, 0-1) lost 3-1 to the Lady Hornets (8-1, 1-0). 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, the Lady Rams mounted a furious comeback in the third set. It was a display of determination and competitive character that Valley head coach Demia Mitchell said left her leaving the court satisfied with their effort.
“I’m extremely extremely proud of them,” 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.”
In the fourth and final set, the Lady Rams looked poised to force the game-deciding fifth set after breaking the 24-24 deadlock to go up 25-24 and have the set-clinching ball in their hands. However, a highly competitive back-and-forth battle ensued with the game on the line, and Beauregard eventually came out on top.
When asked what the biggest area of improvement she’s seen from her squad since the first game of the season, Mitchell said Valley’s ability to work better as a team stood out. She added it allowed her team to stand toe-to-toe with one of the best 4A teams in the state.
“They’ve always known how to work as a team, but it’s getting much better,” Mitchell said. “I just feel like since we’ve been bonding, it helps them a whole lot. Teamwork will be my No. 1 right now.”
However, that teamwork was unable to overcome another solid performance from the Lady Hornets. As of Tuesday, Beauregard was the No. 19-ranked 4A squad in the state and had three wins over Class 6A competition.
According to Lady Hornets head coach Trent Powell, Beauregard had a heart-to-heart after losing the third set and rallied against a scrappy Lady Rams team that had its eyes on an upset win.
“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. “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. It’s a big win with all we’ve been dealt.”
Valley defeated Beulah High School 3-0 at home on Sept. 10 and traveled to face Elmore County High School and hosted Lanett High School on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16, respectively. The results of those games were not available by Tuesday’s press deadline.
Valley is set to host Reeltown High School on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. ET.
The Lady Hornets 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 before Tuesday.
The Lady Hornets will travel to face Tallassee in the return leg of the doubleheader on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m. CT.
