Cleveland, Tenn. — Despite having to make a key lineup adjustment just hours before, Bradley Central opened the new TSSAA volleyball season with an impressive four-set win over 2024 Class AA Final Four Signal Mountain, Monday at Jim Smiddy Arena.
"Everything that happened out there was a surprise as we had to set up a whole new rotation during fourth block (midday) today," explained 31-year veteran head coach Christie McElhaney after her Bearettes prevailed 25-19, 15-25, 25-22, 25-18.
"My starting 'middle' had a death in the family and was out of town and so we had to completely 'refangle' what we did.
It was a different person almost every time we came through there.
"They worked hard and played hard together. Good team effort. Lots of upperclassman leadership. They played hard and then played for each other," she praised.
"Signal Mountain has some girls that are absolutely beasts and were blasting some hard shots, but we were able to dig some of them out and keep the ball in play. They are some of the hardest hitters we'll face. That was a good win for us tonight."
The Bearettes return to action Tuesday evening with a trip to new District 6-AAA member Soddy Daisy, plus host county-rival Walker Valley Thursday.
Signal Mountain will trek to Ooltewah Wednesday for a three-way match including the Chattanooga Patriots.
After the teams split the opening two points, the Bearettes went on a 7-1 streak, including back-to-back aces in four service winners by Boyd.
Signal Mountain fought back with four straight points, but the hosts once again stretched the advantage with a 6-1 run, including aces from Stewart and junior libero Wyatt Powell.
The Lady Eagles took seven of the following 13 points before Stewart stepped behind the line again for another ace in a four-point run.
The visitors were able to get the serve back on a monster kill by Gabby Minton, which sparked Signal Mountain to hold off set point on a half dozen straight serves.
Bradley was finally able to win the opening set when another Eagle slam attempt went into the net.
Signal Mountain came out strong after the break to put up seven of the first eight second-set points, but the Bearettes answered with a 7-1 run of their own to even things up.
Undaunted the Lady Eagles got back-to-back aces by Taylor Warren as part of an 8-2 streak before they started pulling away.
Building their edge to 23-15, the visitors evened the match with a "push" by Carly Stone and a block by Madison Sheldon on set point.
Signal Mountain jump out to another quick lead in the third set, going up 7-3 before Bradley fought back to even the score at 11-all on a Stewart kill.
The lead changed hands thrice and the score was tied five times throughout the rest of the set, with the Bearettes going on 6-1 run, including a pair of Stewart kills, to close out the 25-22 win.
The girls in Red-and-Black once again raced out of the gate to a 5-1 advantage to start the fourth set, but as they had done before the Bearettes came roaring back with 7-1 spurt to take the lead.
Signal Mountain powered back with an 8-2 run and had the hosts down 15-12 before Bradley took command to put up 13 of the night's final 16 points, including an ace by junior Lilly Winters put the exclamation point on the victory.
Stewart finished the night with 17 kills, 26 digs and a couple of aces. Addison Stuman helped out with 17 assists, 14 digs, seven spikes and a net ace.
Claudia Boyd served up 16 winners, including four of the nine Bearette aces, dug out four shots, blocked a pair of shots and slammed home a couple.
Winters put all 11 of her serves in between the lines, digging out 10 shots and dishing out five "dimes," while Elisea Messer handed out 10 helps.
Powell put all nine of her serves in play and had 13 digs, with Jenna Belcher posting a 92.6 service percentage on 14 tries, plus had 11 digs.
Abney Harwood topped the Lady Eagle effort with 13 assists, eight kills and a pair of aces.
Warren helped out with eight kills, five aces, three helps and a couple of blocked shots.
Minton collected seven spikes and stuffed a pair of Bearette shots.
"It was the first match and I have no doubt we're going to get better," declared Signal Mountain head coach Jennifer Redman. "We've got a lot of new girls in playing different positions, so we just need to get some playing time in.
"We did some good things that I know we can be more consistent with."
The Lady Eagles finished with 28 team kills, 23 assists, 11 aces and eight blocks.