BELGREEN — The Belgreen Lady Bulldogs have not had a volleyball team for very long. Still, the program has been improving since its inception, and head coach Teresa Whitten and her players took full advantage of some available summer play dates this past week.

Whitten got to see her team compete against the likes of Belmont, Colbert Heights, Tharptown and Phillips during the summer play dates, and based on what she has seen of her team, she has high hopes for next season.

“We’re a totally different team,” she said. “We can actually set up the ball and run plays this year.

“We’ve got more seniors coming back, and we’ve got more kids playing that have played two years in a row. We’re still young, though.

“I hope to win area. That’s our goal. We beat Phillips in our first practice match, and they won the area last year.

“We almost beat Tharptown. We beat them in the first set but lost the second set.”

The Lady Bulldogs came within two points of beating Belmont Thursday afternoon. The Lady Cardinals one the first set easily, but points on eight or so serves in a row from Laken Bragwell gave Belgreen a comfortable lead before winning the second set. Belmont finished the third set tiebreaker ahead 15-13.

“The girls came back in the second set,” Whitten said. “In the first one they were full of jitters and just scared.

“They did well in the second set, and they had a chance to win the third one, but we’ll get better before the season starts.”

Volleyball season is fast approaching, as the sport takes place during the fall concurrent with football. Until then teams across the county will continue to hone their skills in anticipation of the regular season.