For the third straight match the Rockdale volleyball team fell behind, losing its first set on Thursday.

Also for the third straight match the Rockdale volleyball team overcame that deficit to win, defeating Cedar Shoals 2-1 in the first round of the Region 8-AAAA tournament at Habersham Central.

The Bulldogs lost 25-27 in the first set, rallying back to make it closer than it was early on.

"We came out not at our best, and we were down the whole first game against Cedar Shoals," Rockdale coach Stephen Sansing said. "We fought back and tied up the game, 23-23, after we were down by eight points early."

The Bulldogs, however, couldn't hold on after the tie and dropped the set. The rally back for the tie did give Rockdale momentum and confidence into the second set.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-1 lead in game No. 2 and didn't look back from there to win 25-19. The third game was a little closer than the second, but Rockdale took that one as well, 25-22 to advance.

Kendra Lackey led the Bulldogs with 14 kills, Libby Bradford had 20 assists and Tianna Brown tallied four aces.

Rockdale also lost the first set on Sept 29 23-25 to Clarke Central and 18-25 to Greenbrier.

"We know that losing the first one doesn't mean the match is over," Sansing said. "But something in common with all these matches, is we've been on some long road trips, and coming off the bus causes us maybe to come out a little weary against Habersham and Clarke, and another one at Habersham.

"We have to figure out a way to come out ready to play."

Rockdale will face Apalachee in the quarterfinals today, and will look to finish out the day with its second straight region title win two more wins.

The Bulldogs defeated Apalachee 2-0 on Sept. 30, but fell to the Wildcats 2-1 on Aug. 30.