It seemed like the worst thing to do in Wednesday's GHSA Class AAA first-round state tournament match at Ringgold was score the first point in a set.
But the Lady Tigers proved that wasn't necessarily the case by leading from start to finish in the final set of a 3-1 victory.
Ringgold (26-15) will again be home in the second round against the winner of the first-round match between Stone Mountain and Greater Atlanta Christian. The latter is fourth in the Score Atlanta state rankings.
Set scores against the Lady Bulldogs were 25-10, 25-13, 26-28, 25-12. Hart County scored the first point in each of the first two sets, which were followed by 9-0 and 10-0 runs by the Lady Tigers.
Ringgold scored first in the third set and was sitting with a 24-23 lead having never trailed, although there had been ties at 4, 9, 11, and 23. The Lady Tigers had two more chances at match point, but ultimately the Lady Bulldogs scored the final three points and won.
"After winning 25-10 and 25-13, we did want to get it done in three," Ringgold coach Ashley Boren said. "But you have to give the other team credit for coming back to play. The fourth set we were able to get a lead and keep it."
Ricki Lynn Bickley sparked the Lady Tigers at the net with 16 kills and three blocks and also led them with 22 digs. Zoie Metcalf had 33 assists and was a force serving with 10 aces. Chloe Hall chipped in with seven kills, 18 digs and three aces.
"I'd have to look at our hitting, but I don't think we hit too many into the net, or too many out," Boren said. "I think we did a good job of attacking. And we had one missed serve in each set. I always stress the importance of not making mistakes. You just don't want to give them points.
"I was pleased with our performance. I know round two is going to be a lot tougher."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.