GULF SHORES – After losing to Bayside Academy in their first match of a tri-match at home on Monday, the Gulf Shores Lady Dolphins defeated the Madison Academy Mustangs 21-25, 25-20 15-11.

After clinching the regular season 5A Area 2 title last week, the Lady Dolphins struggled against Bayside in the first match then had trouble with the Mustangs in the second. Gulf Shores fell into a 7-1 hole in the first game against the Mustangs and couldn’t recover until Game 2.

“We just didn’t come ready to play today,” Gulf Shores head coach Wing Brett said. “It was really just a team effort in struggling today. Against Madison Academy we made a few less mistakes and our serves were better, but we just didn’t play well today.”

Brett attributed some of his team’s struggles to injuries.

“We just don’t have many subs with experience,” Brett said. “There was really nothing we could do at some points to keep experienced players on the floor.”

Erin Brett led the team with 30 total assists in both matches. Virginia Jones had 10 kills against the Mustangs, while Kimberly Glanding added eight kills.

Gulf Shores will host Madison County and Foley on Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. The Lady Dolphins will play in the Shrimp Festival Volleyball Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Matches will be played at Gulf Shores High School and Middle School, Foley High School, the Bodenhamer Center in Gulf Shores and the Orange Beach Recreation Center.

Bayside Academy, who swept Madison and Gulf Shores, will play in the Blalock Tournament starting on Friday.