Newton Citizen

WINDER - Whereas the present is dim, the future is bright for Salem volleyball.

However, this season proved forgettable, as the Lady Seminoles ended it with another loss Thursday to Apalachee 25-13, 25-12 in the opening round of the Region 8-AAAA tournament.

As a result, Salem was held winless for the 2008 campaign.

"It was a rough season," Salem coach Alison Dimsdale admitted. "We had some negative attitudes, but we did the best we could and I really have some very talented girls. We just haven't come together as a team yet, but I think that's going to happen."

In the first game, Salem trailed throughout the entire contest after quickly falling behind 4-0. But a kill by Alexandria Underwood - one of nine on the day - put the Lady Seminoles on the scoreboard.

Apalachee stretched its lead to 17-8 before Salem's Erica McLean delivered an ace to bring it within eight.

The Lady Wildcats would go on an 8-4 run before taking the first game.

"I was very proud of them," Apalachee coach Beth Parks said. "They did excellent, came out and worked hard. They wanted it bad, so I was pleased."

In the second game, it was Salem who was quickly out in front 2-0 after another kill by Underwood. But Apalachee's Christy Montgomery responded with a kill of her own to cut the lead in half.

Montgomery finished the game with seven kills.

Back-to-back kills by lefty Lauren Morris helped give Apalachee the lead 4-3. The Lady Wildcats then went on a 21-9 run to finish the match, ending the Lady Seminoles' disappointing season.

"We have some good girls coming back next year, and I think that they're going to really step it up," Dimsdale said, who took over as head coach in mid-September. "They're going to be really fired up to get in there and win."

Morris finished the day with six kills. Apalachee's Jamie Whatley added four kills and one ace.

Salem's Clarissa Morphis had four digs.

Jason Murdock can be reached at jason.murdock@rockdalecitizen.com.