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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo Bulldogs found themselves tested by Indian Springs on the opening day of the season, but in the end, they walked away with a tight win over their county foe.

Montevallo defeated Indian Springs 3-2 on Thursday, Aug. 22 at Montevallo High School to start out the season with a win.

Both teams entered the match off big seasons as they each won an area championship and made a run to super regionals in their respective classifications.

In addition, it was each team’s first game in a new classification as the Bulldogs were promoted to Class 5A and Springs moved up to Class 4A.

In the end, Montevallo had to come from behind to secure that victory as Indian Springs came up with wins in a pair of close sets to start out the match.

With the teams tied up at 24 points apiece at the end of the first set, Springs locked in and secured both extra points to take the 26-24 win in the opening frame and go up 1-0 in the match.

The same situation happened in the second set as the Bulldogs and Indian Springs were tied at 24 once again. However, this time needed not just one pair of extra points, but two to separate the county sides.

Springs overcame the 25-25 tie to win the second set 27-25, putting pressure on Montevallo to overcome a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Bulldogs came out for the third set and not only established a solid lead, but they held off Indian Springs until the end. Their 25-19 win extended the match to a fourth set and swung the momentum back in the hosts’ favor.

Montevallo used that win to take an even larger victory in the fourth set, claiming a 25-17 win to tie up the match at two set wins each and force a decisive fifth set.

With Springs lurking in striking distance, the Bulldogs held off the visitors and completed the comeback against the pressure. Montevallo took the fifth set 15-10 to claim the 3-2 match win.

The Bulldogs were led once again by big days from their three All-County juniors from last season: Zoe Jones, Hunter Jordan and Emeli Guardado.

The outside hitter Jones led the way with 22 kills and a +.188 hitting percentage. She also earned three service aces and six digs.

Jordan was an imposing force on the defense, leading the team in digs with 10 and blocks with six total, including five solo blocks. She added 13 kills and three aces to her stat line for the day.

Guardado picked up right where she left off last season from the setter spot with 32 assists while running the offense along with five aces and five digs.

Elsewhere for the Bulldogs, Shiko Thomas had nine digs and Jaida Heath finished with eight aces and seven digs.

Montevallo will look to keep its winning ways alive at the Falcon Frenzy on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Central High School in Tuscaloosa. The Bulldogs will face Woodlawn at 9 a.m., Holy Spirit Catholic at 11 a.m., Tuscaloosa Academy at 1 p.m. and Corner at 3 p.m.

As for Indian Springs, it will play its home opener on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. against Jefferson Christian Academy.