Round 2 Pearland Scores

Here's some scores for Round 2:

From a different angle, here's Lady Bulldog Hitter Michele Williams blasting one by Westlake.

Westlake sweeps Magnolia...25-17, 25-19.

Katy Taylor def. SA Clark 25-22, 25-15

Memorial def. SA MacArthur 25-12, 25-14

Lake Highlands def. Nederland 26-24, 25-19

Dulles def. Katy

Smithson Valley def. Marcus 25-11, 25-19

Cy-Fair def. Ft. Bend Austin 6-25, 25-21, 25-21

Amarillo def. Clear Lake 25-23, 25-11

Stratford def. Clements 25-11, 25-22

Churchill def. Arlington

Allen def. Kingwood

New Braunfels def. Midlothian

Highland Park def. Round Rock

Cindo Ranch def. Cy Creek 19-25, 25-20, 25-20

Martin def. RR Westwood

Reagan def. Hebron 25-13, 25-18

Pearland Scores Starting to Come in

The Lady Bulldogs following their team mates intensely.


Here's scores in the first round and next opponents:

Stratford, bye
Clements def. Rockwall 25-19, 24-26, 25-7

Arlington def. Tomball 22-25, 25-16, 25-17
Churchill def. A&M Consolidated 25-14, 25-14

Allen def. Westfield 25-12, 25-7
Kingwood def. St. Agnes 25-15, 28-30, 25-15

Midlothian def. Langham Creek 25-18, 11-25, 25-22
New Braunfels def. Pasadena Memorial 23-25, 25-12, 25-17

Highland Park def. Fort Bend Bush 25-8, 25-7
Round Rock def. Friendswood 27-25, 25-19

Cinco Ranch def. San Antonio O’Connor 25-23, 22-25, 25-18
Cypress Creek def. McKinney North 25-7, 25-12

Arl. Martin def. Mayde Creek 28-26, 25-13
Round Rock Westwood def. Clear Creek 28-26, 25-13

Hebron def. Deer Park 25-23, 25-20SA
Reagan def. Bridge City 25-12, 25-6

Lady Bulldog defenders Ashlynn Newman and Hannah Fort

trying to close the gap against the Westlake Lady Chaps.

Westlake def. St. John’s 25-13, 25-17
Magnolia def. Alvin 25-14, 18-25, 25-22

Lady Bulldog OH Alicia Shaffer putting a block on Westlake.

Clark def. Dobie 25-15, 25-19
Katy Taylor def. Atascocita 22-25, 25-16, 25-11

SA MacArthur def. Channelview 23-25, 25-12, 25-21
Memorial def. RR Stony Point 25-14, 25-10

Lake Highlands def. La Porte 25-10, 25-20
Nederland def. Pearland 25-22, 25-16

Dulles def. SA Warren 25-15, 25-17
Katy def. Clear Brook 25-22, 25-18

Marcus def. Elkins 25-22, 26-28, 26-24
Smithson Valley def. Spring 25-19, 25-19

Cy-Fair def. Bellaire 22-25, 25-15, 25-17
Fort Bend Austin def. Humble 25-15, 25-11

Clear Lake def. Cedar Park 10-25, 25-19, 25-14
Amarillo def. Galveston Ball 25-6, 25-3

Lady Bulldog JV 2006 Bryan Tournament Champions

Yes, ladies...YOU'RE NUMBER ONE!!! Your great play and championship win at

the Bryan Tournament (along with your plaque) just confirms it. We've known

it for quite a while now!! Awesome job ladies!! Lady Bulldog JV's RULE.....!!!

Holy Guacamole, Lady Bulldog JV fans!!! How could I have missed this one?....(I must've been sleeping like an old, tired bulldog on the porch)!! The Lady Bulldogs JV captured the Bryan Tournament held in College Station this past weekend, and won it in style! The Lady Bulldogs went undefeated in set and match play and advanced to the finals by beating the Bryan JV squad, then they took on the Oak Ridge JV in the championship match and proceeded to sweep them to win it all. Let there be no doubt: these ladies are a darn good team and have been playing great, consistent volleyball since the summer time.

We heard they all had a great time this weekend & the ladies were probably equally excited when they got to eat at Chick-Fill-A, and we all know - that's always a bonus! If we had known that ahead of time, we'd tried to let the ladies have breakfast, lunch and dinner there to keep them this happy!

GREAT JOB LADY BULLDOGS JV !!!

Three of the best coaches our lucky volleyball ladies could ask for. That's

Freshmen A Coach Beth Smothers (l) , JV Coach Renee Bialas (middle) ,

and Freshmen B Coach Sarah Scheffer (r). They look like they can play right now!

Did You Know.....?

Due to popular demand, here is this week's "Did you Know..."

Did you know...
...which state has the most nationally ranked high school volleyball teams in the Top 20?

According to PrepVolleyball 2006 pre-season National High School Volleyball rankings - California has 5, Texas and Illinois are tied with 3, Kentucky, Indiana, and Colorado have 2.
The highest rated nationally ranked team in Texas is Amarillo who is ranked #4 in the country. Last year's record: 42-3; 2005 final ranking: 74. The next closest is # 13: Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) with last year's record: 37-4; 2005 and a final ranking of 85 and #15 Plano West (Plano, Texas) last year's record: 33-10.


...the 2005 TAPPS State Champions: St Agnes opened their school season with a total of 845 students in August of this year, the largest enrollment in their history?


...how to resolve a two-way district tie at the end of the season?

The TGCA district executive committee may authorize a single elimination match, provided only one other match is played that calendar week. This match may NOT be played as an exception to the school week limitation, since it is not considered post-district competition. If either school played a match on Tuesday, the district tiebreaker match could not be played until Friday after school or Saturday.


…(that before the Magnolia Lady Bulldogs beat them) the #3 team in the state of Texas: the Stratford Lady Spartans was also nationally ranked as the #42 top team in the country?


...that Oak Ridge defeated Tomball (27-25, 25-16) in the semi-finals of the Montgomery Tournament, then were swept by Montgomery in the Championship match (16-25, 21-25, and 23-25) this past weekend?


...Did you know….Amarillo, Stratford, Westlake, Allen, Coppell, Lake Highlands, Dulles...all "went down in flames" with losses, this past weekend?

New Braunfels had to rally from way down in game three to win the Fraulein VolleyFest 25-18, 17-25, 25-23 over Westlake. Of course, you know our mighty Lady Bulldogs took Stratford in 5. Allen shocked top-ranked Amarillo at the Allen Texas Open this weekend but was defeated as Plano West won the tournament. Amarillo's Brianne Barker injured her ankle early Friday and missed most of the action but was reportedly playing at about half-speed on Saturday. Stratford over-took Dulles in 3 (26-24, 20-25, 25-19) at the Spring Branch tournament.

...after eliminating Magnolia, FB Austin won the Silver Bracket at the Spring Branch Tournament?

...In only their seventh season, the Cinco Ranch Lady Cougars have won four of their last five district championships?

FB Austin's Athleticism Impressive

FB Austin did a great job of double teaming while they blocked. They seemed to

consistently have an area of about a 3 to 4 foot width to stop any Lady Bulldog attack!!!

Fort Bend (FB) Austin reminded the Lady Bulldogs on how to "do it"......win, that is, against a suposedly stronger, taller team! You do it with a zero tolerance for errors, gutsy defense, incredible digs, passing, and cohesive teamwork with a capital 'T'. FB Austin impressed all, by playing flawlessly and winning in three - going away (23-25, 25-18, 25-18) while the Lady Bulldogs appeared to become a little flat-footed and worn down later in the match. You know it's the case when you have to struggle with an intense volley for 45 seconds just to win a point, but then in just 15 seconds you give up 2 points! (Who hasn't been there?)....

Set #1 - opened for Magnolia with a patented 'Boom-Boom Glide' and a follow-up Michele Williams and Ashlynn Newman assist block point at 2-3; and still kept the game close with a Kelli Stewart block and kill at 6-7. Hannah Fort chipped in with a kill at 8-10 and finally got the Lady Bulldogs howling and in the lead for good, with an ace serve at 11-10. From there, Michele did 'her thing' on the next rotation, with a hard hit off FB Austin's arms at 13-10, a "Williams - Stewart" (sounds a little like a law firm, doesn't it?) assist block at 14-11, and then another at 15-12.

Lady Bulldog setter Caitlin Holland had a full day spreading the sets around against FB Austin.

From there, Hannah Fort took over on her next rotation, with a hit at 18-13; a great save at 19-16; a great kill at 20-18; and then another kill at 21-19. FB was never out of it though, and came back close at 23-24, before Alicia Shaffer "deviously" faked their middles into thinking she was going to pound a shot by them, only to 'dink' the ball over their confused and helpless arms - and onto the floor for the 'set' win.

You've got to just love (9) Hannah Fort's celebratory, ritualistic dance when the Lady

Bulldogs score! (I think it's getting contagious)....Caitlin Holland's got it going on!

Set #2, FB Austin turned it around and led almost the whole game - from 5-7 forward. Again, Magnolia blasted away in the beginning with all of their guns (Michele at 4-5, Ashlynn block at 7-5, Alicia kill at 9-11, Hannah hit at 11-14, Kristen Bergen line shot at 15-16), but then slowly went to sleep as FB Austin's (height-challenged) athletes took over. Their outstanding play and toughness willed them to victory from a lead of 1 at 17-16, to outscoring the error prone Lady Bulldogs at crunch time, 8 to 2 - leaving the final at 25-18. Ouch!

Set 3.....again, a slight lead for Magnolia at 3-0 and from there it was tied until 13-13 when FB pulled away as the Lady Bulldogs struggled to "3 ball" the ball over the net. Our ladies couldn't seem to regain their 'MoJo' and (maybe) pressed too hard. They chased balls out-of-bounds and were unable to execute the 'little' things needed, nor they couldn't seem to take advantage of several opportunities...and so, in the end - it was just not to be!

FB Austin forced our ladies to take an early retirement and an early exit from the Spring Branch Tournament with a score at 25-18. Some other results from the tournament:
The team we defeated last night in 5 games (Stratford) was too strong for Katy in the finals, sweeping them in two: (25-14, 25-20). You can just imagine that Stratford had to be dawg-tired playing against a tough and undefeated Dulles team, and was probably the match de-jour today, with Stratford winning that match in 3 (26-24, 20-25, 25-19).

Dulles must've been unfazed though, and proceeded to hammer Bryan (25-20, 25-8) and cruised into third place. The other semifinal match had Katy taking care of what was left of Bryan by sweeping them: 25-21, 25-10.

Lady Bulldogs Flush Cinco Ranch

OHR Kelli Stewart 'throwing a heater' by Cinco Ranch.

Set #2 and the Lady Bulldogs are playing well and have a strong lead against Cinco Ranch at 17-9 with this audio just beginning and the first set already in the bag. The Lady Bulldogs hammered home a 25-22 win in the first set and were looking at eliminating Cinco Ranch here in the Spring Branch tournament.

Lady Bulldog setter Hannah Davies putting a soft touch on the set.

For the average Magnolia fan, you probably are trying real hard to not smile (or gloat) because you can remember last year, when the Lady Cougars from Cinco Ranch knocked the Lady Bulldogs out by sweeping them in the Dawg House. This year, things are a lot different - Magnolia is coming at them from every angle and playing some of the finest DEFENSE I've seen them play this season...Wowee, what a combo!

Lady Bulldog hitter Alicia Shaffer going after the middle of Cinco Ranch.

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Lady Bulldog OHR Ashlynn Newman getting one of her

block points While two Lady Cougars stand helplessly by.

Lady Bulldogs Can Taste Spartan Victory

Lady Bulldog MB Michele Williams blasting one of her

24 kills by Stratford's 6'5" MB Lauren Williams and OHR.

Set #5....a must win for both teams. What an exciting match this has been. This could be the young Magnolia Lady Bulldogs' finest hour. Magnolia has given it everything they've got and the list of heros is going to be long in this one, because they all did plenty of things right. The intensity was at a very high level for both teams, fans, and coaches. I believe this is the way the game was meant to be played.....This file picks up at: 11-6 with the Lady Bulldogs, in charge!

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Lady Bulldogs Have Victory Scent vs Lady Spartans

The Lady Bulldogs giving directions for the location of where they want the next missle to land.

Set #4....let's just ice this match and get on down the road with this....whattaya think? The Lady Spartans have taken a new strategy in this match by serving away from Magnolia's back row and by just getting the ball over the net and forcing the front line players to receive the serve. Well it is working slightly, but we're still going to be in a classic dog-fight...we're practically knotted up with Stratford leading by 1: 16-15 while this file goes into extra play...

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Lady Bulldogs Corner Stratford Lady Spartans

Almost an artistic photo here of OHR Lady Bulldog Ashlynn Newman

and Michele Williams putting up a wall in unison, with Ashlynn

blocking the ball and having it roll down her arm.

Set #3 and the Lady Bulldogs are feeling pretty good and playing even better. They are flying at the Lady Spartans from every position and every angle. Total team effort, folks!! Here we are at 16-11 with the Lady Bulldogs barking loudly and biting even harder...

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Lady Bulldogs Spear Lady Spartans

Lady Bulldog MB "Boom Boom" Williams more than held her own with

the state's #3 team...she took them on double - teamed all evening and

was the kill leader for both teams. Truly, a legendary performance !!!

Set #2 after a long tiebreaker in the first game.....dropping the game at 27-29. You just know it's going to be a long exciting evening of volleyball! The tempo and excitement is rising with each exchange and the Lady Bulldogs are digger deeper and finding more confidence - that not only can they play with these guys, they can beat them! Take your blood pressure medicine folks, hang on and let's see what we're in for - as this audio file begins at 13-15 with Magnolia closing in.....

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Lady Bulldogs Roll Up Their Sleeves at Stratford

Well, Lady Bulldog fans......the time has come!! The Lady Bulldogs are in the main gym watching the tall Stratford Lady Spartans warming up, but they seem to have a certain amount of confidence about them tonight. After all, it's not every night when you can take on the number 3 ranked 5A team in the state and not feel intimidated or in awe - while less than 50 feet away from you....the 'volleyball machine' on the other side of the net is pounding these warmup kills by you. Nope, the Lady Bulldogs were on a mission...........though they may still be a little ornery after last night's meltdown. Well, here's a way to forget about everything else and just focus on just what's in front of you..........Ding!

Magnolia continues to get great results with these 3 team mates: OH

Alicia Shaffer (l), MB Hannah Fort (MB) and OHR Kelli Stewart (right).

This match is going to be a barn burner with the last one standing will be the winner. The Lady Bulldogs have opened a big ol' can of Whompum and are ready to rattle their bones. Set 1 with this audio file with the score: Magnolia 8 and 11 for the Lady Spartans.

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Lady Bulldogs Again Coralled by Lady Mustangs

Lady Bulldogs OHR Kelli Stewart and MB Hannah Fort put up a wall

and all Memorial could do was to "3 ball" the ball over their arms.

Well, Lady Bulldog fans....they did it again! Yep, the Memorial Lady Mustangs played great volleyball and swept the Lady Bulldogs in both games 25-23 and 26-24 in the second round of the Spring Branch Tournament. Wow, a couple of close, exciting games! Memorial felt quite at home in their gymnasium and controlled the ball very well in these games but the Lady Bulldogs had their chances and just couldn't capitalize. The Lady Mustangs eliminated the Lady Bulldogs from going any farther in the state playoffs last season and continues to field talented players with quality depth in key player positions.

In the 2nd game, Magnolia was poised and ready to take this match to 3 games and led at set point 24-19, but could not close the door - despite numerous opportunities. The Lady Bulldogs had the momentum and were blocking very well, but then a bad string of costly errors and a 7-0 point run by the Lady Mustangs quickly stampeded any Magnolia plans for going any farther.


The Lady Bulldogs went to their (deep) bench as well - Ashlynn Newman, Hannah Davies and Jamie Kaleh played well off the bench and Sam Lange played consistent defense in the rotation throughout both games. Anna Barren had another outstanding outing as libero and the defense has been steadily improving.

Even though the ladies are probably tired and the long ride home was kind of somber, they have to realize the season is young (and they've faced Tier I teams since the beginning) and these tough matches will help them in the long run. Memorial looked and played similar to Dulles and just ended up making fewer errors, while doing more of the 'little' things right - that's all.. Live and learn. The Lady Bulldogs will have to regroup in a hurry and put their best feet forward in a hurry though,.......#3 Stratford is waiting in the wings tomorrow night.

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!! BULLDOG PRIDE!!!

Lady Bulldogs Pull the Plug on Seven Lakes

Lady Bulldog OHR sophomore Ashlynn Newman shown here passing the ball to the open side.

The Lady Bulldogs opened the Spring Branch Tournament against the Katy Seven Lakes Lady Spartans and came out blistering the Lady Spartans 25-10 in the first set of their match.

Numerous aces and great defense were the keys in this match. The Lady Spartans came back strong in the second set keeping the game close and the Lady Bulldogs actually trailed at 14-15 before outscoring the Seven Lakes 11-6 down the stretch. Another good start for Magnolia who will be facing the Memorial Lady Mustangs in the next match....yes, the one and same Memorial team who eliminated the state playoff -bound Lady Bulldogs last season. The host Lady Mustangs are one of the favorites to win this tournament but will have a tough road to hoe, as well.

GOOD JOB LADY BULLDOGS!!!

Did You Know.....?

How about you Lady Bulldog fans? Ready for a pop quiz?
Did you know.......:

...that Dulles is now 7-0 in match play this year? (They won the Katy Tournament and swept Cinco Ranch last night)?

...the 'little' 4A New Braunfels Canyon squad (that our Lady Bulldogs played in Duncanville last weekend) took the (University of) Westlake to 5 games last night?

...The Woodlands High School MB Kristin Martell is expected to return to the Lady Highlanders' lineup on Sep. 2 from a back injury? Great news!

...All four of the TWHS Lady Highlanders' teams (all three sub-varsity teams along with the varsity) swept Spring in their season openers? The Lady Highlanders' varsity squad swept the Lady Lions 25-14, 25-18, 25-17.

...Stratford beat Clear Creek High School in 5 games at HOME last evening (26-24, 19-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-13)?

...the visiting Memorial Lady Mustangs swept Langham Creek last night (25-22, 25-18, 25-22)?

...the Pearland Lady Oilers first 3 opponents this 2006 season (all at HOME) are (1) the state's # 3 ranked Stratford Spartans, (2) the red-hot Dulles Lady Vikings, and (3) last year's state semi-finalists: the Deer Park Lady Deer? ...tough lineup!

...that celebrities: Clint Black, country singer; Bill Hicks comedian, satirist, and social critic; and former college (SMU) and NFL standout running back and current ESPN sports commentator Craig James; all went to Stratford High School?

Bulldog Night a Tremendous Success with Sweep

Lady Bulldog Alicia Shaffer doing it the right way - All the way Around!

Set 3 and the Lady Cougars have got to make a stand or they're on their way home. The team is not giving up, has played hard and has really top quality players, but the rotation and the depth of the Lady Bulldogs is too much to handle and it's got to be wearing Tomball down. Much to Tomball's credit they played tough volleyball, giving it all they've got, keeping the score close even tying Magnolia in the early part of the game. But after taking the lead for the first time during the evening at 12-10, Lady Bulldog Alicia Shaffer turned things back around and burned them with a kill at 12-13, to tighten the noose somewhat, and again inspiring Magnolia to begin to separate themselves from their rivals by 3, at 18-15. Tomball was not going away quietly, but when Alicia Shaffer began to jump serve, she really intimidated Tomball into making a serve receive error at 19-15, passing error at 20-15, and then a blocked point by Magnolia at 21-17 started a shocked Tomball into a tailspin. Michele Williams had a dink at 22-17, then Michele and Kelli Stewart blocked a Cougar attack at 23-19 and KA-BOOM.... it's quickly over at 25-19!

Coach J keeping the troops relaxed while smoothing off some of the rough edges!

Holy Frijole....what a game!! Bulldog night was an evening full of excitement, pagentry, good food, great fans and even a little nostalgistic and was everything expected when two rival 5A Texas volleyball teams go toe-to-toe with each other. This was an impressive sweep and a well deserved victory for the ladies who will need to maintain their momentum going into the Spring Branch tournament on Thursday and a showdown with Stratford on Friday evening. The ladies work real hard all year and always give their best effort when they play and deserve our respect and support. This lady sports program has brought such positive feedback and exposure by the many volleyball fans out there, and has literally put Magnolia on the Texas map!

Please come and watch; enjoy the excitement, and CHEER for the Magnolia Lady Bulldogs!

GREAT JOB LADIES!!!.....KEEP IT GOING!!!

Lady Bulldogs Chew Up Cougars

Lady Bulldog Samantha Lange passing the ball up to keep her team mates on the attack.

Set 2, or 'Deaux', for our cajun fans: The Lady Bulldogs jumped on the Coogs immediately with a Kristen Bergen kill and block for the first points of a 2-0 lead, then Michele Williams with a block and a kill at 4-1; and a kill by Alicia Shaffer at 7-3 started to get things rolling. Hannah Fort scored the next 3 points for Magnolia with a kill at 9-4, her (now famous) Hannah Glide at 11-7, and a nice assist block with Kelli Stewart at 12-7.

Lady Bulldogs OHR Kelli Stewart and MB

Hannah Fort forming their defensive strategy.

The Lady Bulldogs began to bury Tomball by continuing to dominate the set (and match) - with strong play from Michele Williams, Kristen Bergen and Hannah Fort; with a good defensive effort and solid passing from senior DS Anna Barren and Alicia Shaffer - all the way forward, keeping at least a 7 point lead to the finish at 25-16. Short and sssswwweeeeeet.....

Lady Bulldog DS Anna Barren giving herself a well deserved hand!

GO MAGNOLIA !!!

Lady Bulldogs at Home in the Dawg House

Michele Williams making a short evening of it, blasting one off the outstretched hands of Tomball's MB.

What a wonderful night it turned out to be for all of the fans, the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team, the Magnolia coaches and the school....the area got some much needed rain and the storm outside cooled things down to a steamy 87 degrees...while the Lady Bulldogs turned up the heat with a sweep over their old arch-rival: the Tomball Lady Cougars. This was not a match like the others - for one, the Lady Bulldogs 'dog'handled the Cougars from beginning to end with the only lapse being in the 'first-third' of the last set. The Dawg House was loud and buzzing with a full house, the barbeque pit was going strong, the fans were wearing their 'volleyball headpieces', the block signs would go up (and quite often, tonight) when the Lady Bulldogs would reject another Lady Cougar attack attempt and finally, the jingling of a couple of hundred keys on rings - with each fan waving and wishing their Tomball rivals - a safe trip home in their cars!

For the fans who got to see this year's team for the first time, they must've looked even more impressive chewing up and sweeping the Lady Cougars 25-15, 25-16 and 25-19. The Magnolia on-slought came from everywhere: in the middle: Michele 'Boom Boom' Williams (10 kills with 3 solo and 1 assist block); followed closely by Hannah Fort (8 points, 1 solo, and 3 assist blocks) and on the outside: Alicia Shaffer (with 8 kills, 1 solo block, and 12 digs) and Kristen Bergen (8 kills, 6 digs). Setter Caitlin Holland dished out 28 assists with her 5 digs and, as you can see - Caitlin spread the wealth around.

Michele opened the night with kills at 1-3, 4-3 then Kristen Bergen had a kill at 6-6 followed by Alicia Shaffer's dig and a kill 7-6, then a shot off the defenders' hands a little later at 11-7. Once again the middle of the front line took over with Hannah Fort igniting the crowd at 17-9, a kill at 18-9 and another kill at 20-12. 'Boom Boom' took over from there, with a dink at 22-12, a kill at 24-12, and a blistering shot off the Lady Cougar's hands for the quick set victory at 25-15. Nicely done, ladies...just like you drew it up! Set #1 vs Tomball...is in the books!

Boom Boom's fan club at work!

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

Lady Bulldogs JV Chomp Down on Cougars

The Lady Bulldogs JV volleyball team remained undefeated in match play (2-0) Tuesday evening with an impressive comeback in the third set against their always tough nemesis: the Tomball Lady Cougars JV. The Lady Bulldogs opened the evening with a growl crushing Tomball with a 25-11 mauling. Tomball was never in the hunt on this one. In the second set Tomball managed to keep it close from 14-14 to 21-21, then at 23-23 before the Lady Bulldogs coughed up a fur ball by dropping the last 2 points and suddenly those pesky Cougars had a glimmer of hope.

That was quickly dashed with a good old fashioned drubbing from the Magnolia front line who opened the lead to 8-1 with a nice Breann Matula kill, then followed up by a nice Jamie Paulson kill at 9-2 and a couple of points later, Tomball called time out. They should've called a taxi or even an ambulance...

From that time out forward, the Lady Bulldogs roughed them up outscoring Tomball by a 14-7 margin - closing the point, set, and match at 25-9. Wow!! The JV team is 4-1 in set play after sweeping Dulles last week and taking care of their business tonight. Nicely done ladies!

OH Lady Bulldog JV Katie Kreft was either very DAWG tired and

thirsty here or she was panting for her water bowl...Either way

Katie recovered nicely with another productive night.

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

BULLDOG PRIDE !!!!

Lake Highlands Take the High Road Against Magnolia

The battle weary Lady Bulldogs were still able to manage a

smile after their runner-up consolation finish at Duncanville.

Set 2 and Match 3 on a warm Saturday afternoon and those "meanies" (Lake Highlands) are ruining all our fun by closing in on eliminating our Lady Bulldogs and are getting even closer to touching the trophy themselves. The Lady Bulldogs jumped to a 2-0 lead behind a couple of good serves from Hannah Fort, leading briefly and then pulling even several volleys later with a Michele Williams block point at 4-4. The Lake Highlands Lady Wildcats took off like a paranoid mountain goat from there outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 7 to 2 forcing Coach J to call a time out at 6-11. Magnolia just couldn't catch the Lady Wildcats from the tie to the end of the game...the closest they came to catching them was a 2 point margin 19-21, 20-22, 22-24...but they just couldn't get that next point.

The loss offset impressive performances by Michele Williams and Alicia Shaffer. Lake Highlands' only loss on the weekend was to Westlake. Oh well, all good things must come to an end!!.....the Lady Bulldogs had a great run at it and should be proud that they finished in the top 4. This audio file picks up with the score at 16-20 with the Lake Highlands Lady Wildcats in control.

All-Tournament Team

MVP - Brianne Barker, Amarillo

Outstanding Hitter - Nikki Fowler, Plano West

Outstanding Setter - Amanda Bayer, Allen

Oustanding DS - Brittany Bullard, Amarillo

All-Tournament

Kathleen Nash, Plano West

Kelsey Black, Amarillo

Mary Catherine Aune, Westlake

Shannon Hawari, Plano West

Mary Elizabeth Hooper, Plano

Chelsea Grayson, NB Canyon

Lizzy Stuller, Lake Highlands

Michele Williams, Magnolia

Amanda Rommell, Westlake

Chelsea Ringel, Arlington Martin

Katherine Cullwell, Highland Park

Catherine Neilson, Amarillo

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Lady Bulldogs Reaching for the Brass Ring

Couldn't resist this one...For years, basketball and volleyball tournament fans alike

have been coming to Duncanville and honoring the memory of the late, great coach -

Sandra Meadows who is the greatest ladies coach in the history of the Texas Hall of

Fame. Previously, the tournament was played at several venues, but since the

completion of the Sandra Meadows Memorial Arena several years ago - the

outstanding facilities are now home to one of the larger, more prestegious

volleyball tournaments in the country.


Wow, the Lady Bulldogs are in tall cotton here in Duncanville and are in the finals for the Consolation bracket. There are only 4 trophies to be given out for team standings with the First and Second Place teams (Amarillo and Plano West) and the First Place and Second Place consolation teams (Lake Highlands and Magnolia) and for the 'first timer' Magnolia Lady Bulldogs - well, their unexpected fortune is one that is rarely accomplished in this tournament by a 'newbie'. This team is special though, and can accomplish many things and just may be experiencing these great results by focusing on their game, one point-at-a-time...

Click on the picture and get a close up view of this. Very moving...

Well, Lake Highlands has plans of their own and are another "physical" opponent and have looked equally as impressive as they've marched their way into the finals, as well. The Lady Bulldogs are giving it all they've got, but are trailing Lake Highlands when we join this audio file at: 15-20.

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Comment from: BigTex ...
Thanks for posting the pic. Us here in North Texas will never forget Sandra Meadows. She was a truly remarkable person and coach. It was great to meet and talk with all the nice Magnolia Bulldog fans. Here is to Magnolia putting a whopping on Tomball. BigTex 8:08 PM

Reply from: MagnoliaBigDog

Bigtex, The pleasure was ALL ours. Thank you for taking the time to show us all of the great things and memorabilia that makes the Duncanville tournament so special. The Lady Bulldogs and their fans thank you for your insight and support and look forward to visiting with you soon. MagnoliaBigDog 8/21/06 7:35 PM

bigtexbro said...
It was great to meet y'all and you have a great team.....you should be proud of those Lady Bulldogs. You went very far...a lot of teams during their first year at this tournament, don't make it that far. Great team....can't wait to see ya'll again at state.... 10:25 PM

Reply from: MagnoliaBigDog

Thank you for the kind words, Bigtexbro. We are very proud of the Lady Bulldogs! With a lot of hard work ahead of them, and maybe with a 'little luck' thrown in - we'll have the opportunity hook up with ya'll at state...!! GO LADY BULLDOGS !!! 8/22/06 4:11 PM

Lady Bulldogs Leap Over Canyon for Finish

This set was pretty much expected...not many in the Sandra Meadows Arena thought New Braunfels Canyon would roll over after getting dog-piled in the first set of their match and they certainly reduced their unusal high amount of errors to play consistent volleyball. The Lady Bulldogs have also re-adjusted to Canyon's play and unless they pull it together here with the score at 16-20, it could get tougher in Set 3 and things can get away from them! The Lady Bulldogs are starting to make a run at it, here......let's get 'em Lady Bulldogs!

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Lady Bulldogs Attempt to Cover Canyon

One of the highlights in 'Team Building'. The ladies looked to me more like my fishing line in my closet...

Set 1 in the second match on Saturday morning in Duncanville and the Lady Bulldogs have dug New Braunfels Canyon into a deep hole leading by a score of 19-12. Canyon is a scrappy team who has made it to the semi-finals just as Magnolia has and is a well coached team that has got them to where they are by playing strong defense while making few errors. The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile are beginning to crank the motors of their volleyball machine to another level as they begin their rise to the upper level of the Duncanville Tournament - with a good defense of their own and an imposing offense...

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2006 Lady Bulldogs Navigate a Win vs Clear Creek

The Lady Bulldogs take a moment to celebrate

one of their finest comebacks as a team!

Set 3, Match 1 and the Lady Bulldogs have covered up the Clear Creek Lady Wilcats by a commanding score of 17-5 (with the start of this audio file), with the winner going on to the semifinals in the Consolation bracket and the loser....well, let's just say, "may be taking an early exit for a long ride home!..." Amazingly, the Lady Bulldogs have clawed their way back from a start that would've brought a weaker team to it's hind paws! Let's join our little super-heros and listen in to the excitement....

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Lady Bulldogs Dogpaddle up the Creek!

Lady Bulldog OH / All Around Alicia Shaffer was one step ahead and easily

blocked the quick back-handed kill attempt from the Clear Creek's setter.

Set 2, Match 1 on Sunday at Duncanville. Will the Lady Bulldogs fight back and get this much-needed, crucial win against Clear Creek? There's no question in the minds of these ladies - they WILL come back and they WILL make a run at this thing! The Lady Bulldogs certainly aren't ready to bow out and go home...The fans are hoping the ladies quickly change back into their hero uniforms and turn away any distractions in the past to come and save their day. I'll be the first to admit it - "I don't deal with the stress as well as these ladies..I'm weak...!!! I don't know how my nerves and heart are going to make it though this. Here's the audio file at 14-4 with the Lady Bulldogs seemingly well in control...

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Lady Bulldogs in Unchartered Waters in Duncanville

Lady Bulldog MB Michele Williams has the jump on both of Clear Creek's

blockers and buries another kill into the Clear Creek's side of the net.

Coming out of the gate after finishing yesterday's great comeback victory string, and starting early Saturday morning against a highly rated, strong Clear Creek team - it's just too unpredictable to guess what's going to happen with our Lady Bulldogs. But the ladies seem to know what it's going to take to win these next matches if they're going to want to bring home a trophy. Here's the start on their first match of the day with the Lady Bulldogs trailing Clear Creek at 10-16:

Lady Bulldog OHR Kelli Stewart is shown here going after a kill over

the out-stretched arms of Clear Creek's MB All Star Sommer Ivory.

LET'S GO LADY BULLDOGS !!! BULLDOG PRIDE !!!

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Stephenville Falls to Magnolia

Michele Williams quick kill is just as effective as her famous Williams' Glide!

Set 2 Match #3 and the Lady Bulldogs clawed and mauled their way to victory! Again the Lady Bulldogs tore out of the gate jumping to a quick advantage on Michele Williams' arm(s) with a kill at1-0, 3-1, and a block at 4-1 then a serving ace at 6-2; before Alicia Shaffer was able to bounce a hard shot off the defender's arms for a point at 7-3. Then it was time for the other Lady Bulldogs to get into the fun as Kristen Bergen shot a bullet down the line at 10-4 and a Hannah Fort kill at 11-6; topped off with a "happy birthday" gift of a floater that Kelli Stewart crushed at 12-6, only to be topped off with a Hannah Fort serving ace of her own. This file begins with the Lady Bulldogs rolling over Stephenville with a 16-9 score:

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Lady Bulldogs In Control Against Stephenville

This is a photograph of a photograph of coach Sandra Meadows whom

the arena was named after. The legendary coach was well loved by all.

Set 1 in Match #3 with the Lady Bulldogs facing Stephenville...Elkins had just slipped by Stephenville in 3 hard fought sets (with the last two sets going into extra play) and still we wondered how they did it. Stephenville had more power and is a well coached team with talented players in just about every position. So how did they lose in 3? Perhaps 'Lady Luck' had reared her head, or maybe just one pivotal play near the end of the set meant the difference, or even that one crucial call?

Whatever it was, Stephenville was not in a good mood....so what should the Lady Bulldogs do about all this? Yeap, dogpile....jump on 'em! Give them some of that good old, 'solid' playing volleyball with great defensive plays galore with setter Caitlin Holland running the 5-1 with everything just working right! When Stephenville got a shot off at the net line, the Lady Bulldogs were in the right place and would dig, pass, set and kill - just like it was written in a playbook. Alicia Shaffer had some precision kills in both corners, Kelli Stewart nailed a kill down the left sideline and Michele Williams and Hannah Fort rocked their world inside with blocks and quick hits.

Here's an audio file with the Lady Bulldogs bearing down with some aggressive play on both sides with the score at 16-11.

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Lady Bulldogs Take Aim at Stephenville

Lady Bulldog Kristen Bergen finding a way to get the ball through Lamar's arms.

Set2 Match 2....this one started out with an onslought and a variety of kills from Michele 'Boom Boom' Williams starting at 1-1, blocked point at 2-1, the (now famous) Williams' Glide at 3-2 and after a couple of serve aces from Kristen Bergen at 4-2 and 5-2 ; Boom Boom has another timely block point at 6-2; and leading her team mates to opening a wider margin of victory. Alicia Shaffer had an outstanding game as well with a nifty left handed dink at 7-3 and three booming kills at 10-3 , 11-4 and later at 22-17 to keep Cleburne off guard.

Common' Lady Bulldogs, let's put this one away 16-12 with Magnolia in charge....

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Lady Bulldogs Light into Cleburne

Lady Bulldog OH / All Around Alicia Shaffer showing great form here

enroute to a statistical career match: 9 kills, 9 digs and 2 assist blocks.

Set 1 Match #2 and Cleburne is looking to send the Lady Bulldogs into their pen for good. They had watched as the Lady Bulldogs fell in their first match to Lamar and is probably thinking they may be able to take advantage of the Lady Bulldogs who should be a little down right now and are probably licking their wounds...Always be careful of what you wish for!

Magnolia pounced on them early and jumped on them hard. Michele Williams opened the scoring up for Magnolia at 1-0, a cross-court kill at 5-2, Alicia Shaffer banged one off the defender's arms at 8-5 and followed it up with a shot at 9-5. The Lady Bulldogs came at them from everywhere - OHR Kelli Stewart had a nice kill at 11-5, Hannah Fort had 2 kills (one at 12-6, and the other at 13-7) then Kristen Bergen lit 'em up for 2 kills at 14-9 and 15-10....and the Lady Bulldogs were firing on all cylinders and beginning to roar as this audio clip starts up:

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Lady Bulldogs JV Maul Lady Vikings

Lady Bulldog OH/All Around Katie Kreft hammered

Dulles all night, enroute to a sweep of the match.

The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs JV volleyball team opened their season against the Dulles Lady Vikings JV squad Tueday evening and wasted no time in silencing the home crowd by dismantling the Lady Vikings volleyball machine in 2 quick sets (25-8 and 25-18). The Lady Bulldogs JV were impressive in their play by controlling the net and moving quickly and passing when they played defense. The Lady Bulldogs JV were even more impressive with their serving and presented a ton of serve receive problems for the Dulles JV team and consequentially had a bunch of points from the ensuing errors. In Set #1, Dulles was down 7-0 and had to call their first time out to try to 'break-the-chain' and reduce the margin to 6 points at 10-4. The Lady Bulldogs JV then threw themselves into hyperdrive and blew the set open overpowering Dulles 15-4 - to blow by the Lady Vikings 25-8. The were a couple of great kills by Katie Kreft at 14-5 and 16-5 that helped to compliment the great net play from the Lady Bulldog JV front line and there was simply no comparison in the level of play in this game. A great start for the ladies in Set #1 with the final score at 25-8.

Set #2 - the Lady Bulldogs JV 'dog-piled' on the Lady Vikings JV, again with OH Katie Kreft kills (at 3-0 and 7-0) and a 7-point combination run of Magnolia serving aces from OH Jamie Paulson with several Dulles receiving errors- coupled with a spectacular, pancake dig from Jamie - to force Dulles to call a time out at 10-0. The crowd was beginning to think Jamie was going to serve the rest of the match out!! Katie Kreft added 2 service aces of her own at 16-11 and 17-11, thwarting any comeback hopes Dulles may have been entertaining and again Magnolia turned up their net play to another level. Brittany Wheaton also got a service ace in at 22-16 before Breane Matula slammed one to the floor at 23-18 and 2 quick points later - badda-bing....point, set,and match: 25-18!! Great job, ladies!!

Next up: 8/22/06 Tuesday vs Tomball JV at the Dawg House 4:30 PM

GO LADY BULLDOGS !!!

Lady Vikings Pillage Lady Bulldogs in Set #3

Woa!! When you see this imposing figure guarding the main doors

to Dulles' gym, you just know you're going to be in for a fight!!....

Well, here we are.....backs against the wall and our opponent looks like they want to make a short evening's work of us! Dulles is cruising and the Lady Bulldogs need to turn the whole match around. Set #3 opened up a lot like Set #1 with the Lady Vikings bolting to 4 straight points before Michele Williams jammed a kill shot to make it 1-4.

JAMIE's GOT A GUN....actually, a rocket launcher on this one! OH Jamie Kaleh

puts the hammer to this kill shot in set 3 splitting the two Dulles blockers.

The Lady Vikings kept the lead at 3 points despite a nice kill from Kelli Stewart at 3-6 then began to stretch it again at 3-8 before Coach J could call time out. Jamie Kaleh had a nice kill at 5-11, but the Lady Vikings shot straight ahead at ramming speed with their biggest lead at 23-12, before burying the Lady Bulldogs at sea (but without the traditional honors normally given at a Viking funeral), at 25-15.

Dulles has a 14-8 lead when this audio begins:

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