By Brandon Park
Staff Writer

On Thursday, September 18, the Morgan County Lady Dogs varsity volleyball team took to the floor of MCHS's new gym against Hart County marking the first region match of the season.

Losing both games by scores of 25-11 and 25-15, Morgan would find itself 0-1 in early region competition.

Next to take the floor against Morgan would be region competitor, Eastside. Eastside would capture the first game by a score of 26-24. Morgan would rally to tie the match at one game each with a win in the second game by a score of 25-17.  Morgan would clinch the match with a game three score of 26-24, to finish the night with a .500 (1-1) record in region play.

The junior varsity squad would also find themselves beginning region competition against Hart and Eastside that same day.

Morgan would take the court against Hart County first, sweeping the match by game scores of 25-15 and 25-22. Against Eastside, Morgan would capture game one victory by a score of 28-26, however Eastside would push the match into a game three with a game two victory by a score of 25-15.

The Lady Dogs would win game three 25-23 and clinch the match, giving them a 2-0 record to start region competition.

"When we started, we had a bunch of new players," Junior varsity player Sarah Piga said. "Now, we are really rocking it."
Teammate Taylor Shultz added, "At the very beginning, we had a lot of players that didn't know what they were doing but we have learned a lot throughout the season and it has gotten a lot better."

Teammate Alley Stockton said, "Our season is going good. We are getting our rotations down and our game is improving."

The Tuesday before region play began, the varsity squad traveled to Alcovy for matches against Alcovy and Newton. Both matches would take extra games to decide a winner. Against Newton, the Lady Dogs would win game one by a score of 26-24. Newton would even the match with a game two victory. Morgan would take the match with a game three victory by a score of 25-18.

Against Alcovy, Morgan would again win game one and drop game two, sending the match into a game three that would be won by the Lady Dogs by a score of 25-23.

Morgan's next match was scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 at home against region opponent Jackson County and non-region opponent Monroe.

The Lady Dogs will travel to Conyers on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27 for the Conyers Classic Tournament.