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The Lady Bulldogs won their sixth straight match Thursday and remain undefeated against area opponents with a 4-0 record after defeating Salem in straight sets.

"Lauren [Aikens] played real well in the first set," Rockdale Coach Stephen Sansing said. "We served well. I think we had nine service aces."

The first set began with an aggressive kill by Aikens, and Raechel Simmons followed with a trio of service aces. Aikens added another point and Reanna Bray put the Lady Dogs up 6-0.

The Lady Seminoles closed the gap by taking the next three points, but the Lady Dogs later went on a 6-0 run to take a commanding 17-5 lead. Salem's Kelsey Simmons had a number of nearly miraculous digs that kept Rockdale from scoring, but the Lady Dogs coasted to a 25-7 win in the first set.

In the second set, Coach Sansing rested Aikens and started Bray, Elizabeth Fox, Libby Bradford, Taylor Burdette, Katie Bryant and Maya Van Meter.

Salem co-captain D'Andra Harper got the scond set off to a good start for the determined Lady Seminoles with a service ace and Salem jumped out to a 3-1 lead, but Rockdale's Van Meter evened the score with an authoritative spike moments later.

Salem grabbed a 12-7 lead after a kill by Simmons and some solid work on the net by the blockers.

Trailing 14-9, Rockdale's Fox got the Lady Bulldogs back on track with the three straight aces. Salem was unable to return a volley by Tianna Brown, and Rockdale tied the game at 15. The lead changed hands several times, but wound up tied again at 20. Rockdale's Kendra Lackey put the Lady Bulldogs up 23-20, but Salem retook lead 24-23 with senior captain LeAndra Prempeh serving.

One point away from losing the set, the Lady Dogs stiffened. Kelly Meeks blocked a Salem attack to put Rockdale up 25-24 and the Lady Dogs were able to edge Salem in the second set 26-24.

"We rested a couple of the girls in the second game to give some of the other players a chance to experience area play," Coach Sansing said. "But I'm confident that no matter who is out there we can still win. I'm very proud of all of them."

Alcovy High School was scheduled to participate in the tri-match with Rockdale and Salem, but the Alcovy matches were cancelled due to a shortage of officials.

Rockdale County's junior-varsity team also won their match with Salem 2-0.

The Lady Dogs will try to keep it going next week when they host a tri-match on Sept. 9 against Union Grove and area foe Clarke Central, while Salem goes on the road against Habersham Central.