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!!!
