By Bart Moss / For the FCT

The Belgreen Bulldogs won the Cherokee Invitational Tournament held Saturday. The Bulldogs (18-9) began the weekend by defeating Tharptown 3-2 Thursday night.

The Bulldogs faced Colbert Heights, Tharptown and Shoals Christian in pool play.

Belgreen opened the tournament by defeating Tharptown in two sets. The Bulldogs and Wildcats previously also faced off in a regular season matchup Thursday evening, in which Belgreen was victorious. Next, the Bulldogs fell in two straight sets to Colbert Heights before defeating the Shoals Christian Flame in two straight.

Belgreen defeated the host team, Cherokee, 2-0 to open tournament play and advance to play Colbert Heights once again.

Belgreen opened the finals by defeating Colbert Heights in a close first set, 26-24. Colbert Heights battled back to tie the Bulldogs in the second set. However, the Bulldogs closed the deal, defeating the Wildcats 15-10 in the final set to win the match and tournament championship.

“I just told the girls that we are a family. We might not always like each other, but we always love each other, and we have each other’s back,” said Belgreen coach Teresa Whitten.  “The day was such a rollercoaster ride.  I just had to sit down and take it all in. I could not be prouder of my girls.”