By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

MONTEVALLO — Through the first set, it appeared the Oct. 15 matchup between Shelby County and Montevallo High’s volleyball squads would be a close battle, with the Wildcats taking a 25-22 win.

After that, however, the Bulldogs used timely serving and a strong return game to run away from the Wildcats, taking a 3-1 match win.

After being down 4-1 in the opening set, the Wildcats used a 6-0 run to take the lead. Shelby County held a 19-13 lead late, but Montevallo staged a 6-1 run to close the gap to 20-19.  The Wildcats held off the charge, taking the 25-22 win.

The second set saw the Wildcats get out to a 3-2 lead, but Montevallo went on a 13-4 run to pull out by 10. Shelby County was never able to close the gap, falling to the Bulldogs, 25-12.

Shelby County then jumped out to a 6-3 lead to begin the third set. A 7-3 run for the Wildcats gave the squad a 13-6 advantage. Shelby County appeared to be in control of the set, up 23-18, when the Bulldogs scored seven unanswered points to steal the set away from the Wildcats and take the momentum in the match, 2-1.

With the come-from-behind victory in set three, Montevallo went on the attack in the fourth set. With SCHS on the brink of elimination, the Bulldogs charged out to an 11-1 lead. With a commanding lead, Montevallo never looked back, taking a 25-5 win in the set, and 3-1 match win.

“Shelby County has always had a great program,” said MHS head coach Tena Niven. “We finally started doing some things to our strengths.”

McKenna Anderson led the Bulldogs with 23 kills, 31 digs and nine aces, while Hope Wilder had 13 assists and Isabella Howell had 10 assists and seven digs for MHS.