The Demopolis Lady Tigers volleyball team defeated Sumter Central in straight sets in the first area match of the season.

Demopolis rarely trailed in any of the three sets as they controlled the tempo of the match.

“I can’t be more proud of the way we worked together tonight,” head coach Blythe Smith said. “We’re happy to get a win against an area opponent.”

In the first set of the night, the Lady Tigers were slow starting out, but soon found their rhythm. Sumter Central led 4-0, then Demopolis, behind the serves of Jade Montgomery, jumped ahead 8-4 and never looked back.

Demopolis led 23-14, but allowed the Lady Jaguars back into the set before putting them away 25-19.

The second set saw Demopolis lead wire-to-wire, never allowing Sumter Central to grab the lead. The Lady Jaguars pulled within two points twice, but the Lady Tigers kept the pressure on took the set 25-18.

Ivery Moore opened the third and final set serving for Demopolis, and the Lady Tigers scored the first six points of the set. Then, leading 10-5, Riley King took over serving, and helped her team earn five straight points to give Demopolis a 15-5 lead.

The Lady Tigers finished off the set with six straight points to win 25-11.

“That was a great way to finish off the night,” Smith said. “We wanted this win. We haven’t beaten Sumter Central since they joined our area. They’re an athletic team, and I know they’ll come prepared when we go to their house later this season.”

Smith added she was happy with the performance of junior Alex Barnett in the match.

“Alex Barnett was our biggest hustler tonight,” she said. “She was diving on the floor all night and helping us out. Our only freshman Abbe Sims got her first playing time of the season, and she did a good job for us.”

The win gives Demopolis a 3-2 record to start the season. They will face John Essex High School on Monday at home before hitting the road for the first time this season on Tuesday and traveling to Greenville.