When West Albany got through its opening game against rival South Albany Thursday in the Bulldog gym, it breathed a big sigh of relief.

The Rebels had West scrambling in that opening game. The Bulldogs took the hint and upped their intensity level the rest of the way claiming a 3-0 Mid-Willamette Conference win by scores of 25-23, 25-17 and 25-16.

“That’s a much improved South Albany team,” praised West coach Kelli Backer. “Our seniors saved us with their leadership.”

First it was Amanda Nelson and in the end it was Abby Chambers.

Nelson stepped up big time in the opening game with the score knotted at 23 and South coming off a 7-3 run. The 5-8 senior drilled two straight service aces clinching the game and turning the momentum directly in West’s favor.

“Her serving is really coming on. It’s something we’re working on,” said Backer, of Nelson, who led the Bulldogs with seven aces on the night.

It also offset a terrific game by South junior Elisabeth Yates. Yates had seven aces for the Rebels in the first game alone and added two kills to bring South back.

“She did really well,” said South coach Tami Donaldson. “Her serves were just outstanding.”

With Yates leading the way, South came back from an 11-4 Bulldog run and picked up five points in South’s own 11-1 flurry.

Game two was another back-and-forth affair before West slowly built a strong lead at 19-13. South’s mini run spearheaded by two Kassandra VanBeek kills got the Rebels close.

Aces by Nelson and libero Laura Frazier and a strong kill by Lindsey Bohard put the game on ice for West.

In the final game it was Chambers who did just about everything with some service help from Mona Goudarzian and Mailli Trosper, who combined for six points.

West built a 14-7 lead as the Rebel defense struggled against the Bulldog front line work of Chambers and Emily Yoder.

Every time South attempted to sneak back in Chambers and Yoder turned things around. The duo traded kills to start a 15-4 run that all but sealed the win. Chambers then served five straight points - four of them aces - for a 22-10 margin.

“We have four seniors and it’s our job to pick us up and provide leadership,” offered Chambers. “Our intensity is always a little higher in the Civil War game.”

The Rebels couldn’t hold that intensity level after the opening game.

“It’s our pattern,” said Donaldson. “We come out focused and then we fall off. We have to find a way to maintain it.”

Yates led South with 10 kills and senior middle blocker Tiffany Bartlett led the Rebels at the net with four blocks.

For West, Chambers completed her fine all-around match with 8 kills and 13 assists. Frazier had 8 digs as West’s back row play handled most of what the Rebels offered.

“Our liberos were great. We have them on the court at the same time because they work so well together,” said Backer in praise of Frazier and Holly Goff.

West (2-0) will host its own tournament Saturday and then continue MWC play at home against Corvallis Tuesday. South Albany (0-3, 0-2) plays again Tuesday at Crescent Valley.