Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

CALERA – The Calera Eagles had to work and fight until the very end for it, but they emerged victorious in their first game in area play.

Calera defeated the Chilton County Tigers 3-2 in a thrilling match on Thursday, Sept. 19 at Calera High School.

The teams traded blows throughout the match and exchanged set wins before going down to the final points in the fifth set.

The Eagles got off to a great start in the match as they built out a lead that allowed them to control the first set down the stretch.

Calera ended up winning the first set by double digits, taking the opening frame 25-15 to go up early in the match.

Chilton County mounted a response in the next set, and while the Eagles stayed within relative striking distance, they could not get over the top and in front in the end.

The Tigers tied up the match at one set win apiece with their 25-20 win in the second set.

The teams continued to be tightly matched in the third set with only a few points separating them once again in the final moments. However, this time, it was Calera which had the last say in the set.

The Eagles finished out the set on top as they held off Chilton County for the 25-22 win, retaking the match lead in the process.

With their backs now up against the wall, the Tigers threw another counterpunch and took the lead in the fourth set.

Chilton County built some distance between it and Calera during the set and finished the job late to stay alive for the win.

With the 25-19 victory in the fourth set, the Tigers tied up the match once again, this time forcing a fifth set to decide the opening match of Class 6A, Area 8 play.

Both teams recognized the urgency of the moment and came out tightly matched, which showed in the final moments of the match.

While the Eagles sat on match point, they led just 14-13 with Chilton County threatening to force extra points with another won point.

Calera staved off the pressure and sealed the match win with a 15-13 victory in the fifth set.

The Eagles will look to take another win in area play on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. as they face the Benjamin Russell Wildcats on the road in Alexander City in their next match.