WE ARE FAMILY!!.....Lady Bulldog Alicia Shaffer (10) and Hannah Fort (right)
lead the ladies in a big celebration with their win over the Cy Fair Bobcats..
The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs continued their impressive climb up the state's top 20 charts by out playing the stubborn Cy-Fair Lady Bobcats in four games 25-20, 25-27, 25-18, and 25-17. All the games were fiercely contested but, although the Lady Bulldogs were hitting on all cylinders tonight, deep inside, you just knew.........anything can happen!!!
Great defensive plays like Hanah Davies' dig here helped to make
the difference in Magnolia's big victory over the always tough Cy
Fair Lady Bobcats. Jamie Kaleh is ready for the ball!!
Cy-Fair beat Magnolia twice during the 2005 regular season and went undefeated in district play, but it just had to be our Dawgs' Day this time around. Cy-Fair played some incredible defense to match Magnolia's top notch unit dig-for-dig but in the end, it was the Lady Bulldogs who had too much fire power and experience as (the combination of the Big Three) Alicia Shaffer, Hannah Fort, and Michele Williams - played perhaps their finest overall match of the year. Kristen Bergen continued to impress with her excellent service game and attacking as well. The alternating serving and setting duo of Hanah Davies and Caitlin Holland were brilliant tonight with their overall game management and execution to match the excellent Cy-Fair setters and then some. OHR Kelli Stewart had a steady game at the net once again, as Jamie Kaleh and Ashley Newman were instrumental in helping round out the rock solid rotation while defensive specialists Anna Barren and Ashley Meeks shared libero duties for the Lady Bulldogs. 
The advantage goes to Magnolia on this one! MB
Lady Bulldog Michele Williams stuffing another one!
Game 1 was a see-saw battle until Lady Bulldog OH Kristen Bergen took over at the service line with her 'precision placement' to give Magnolia the lead at 18-17 after trailing 14-16. From there it was a combination of Hannah Fort blocks, Alicia Shaffer digs and an assortment of kills from Hannah, Alicia, and Kristen. Magnolia closed it out going away at 25-20.
Lady Bulldog Hannah Fort is ready to block the Lady Bobcats' setter's
attempt to backhand a shot... Kelli Stewart is ready if it comes her way.
Game 2 was an epic battle of wills as both team battled hard to a 10-10 standoff before Kristen Bergen again helped the Lady Bulldogs pull ahead at 14-11 with her hot serving. The Bulldogs kept the lead at 20-17 with another Boom-Boom Williams kill and extended the lead to 23-19 with a highlight reel combination double dig by Hanah Davies and Alicia Shaffer and an attack point by Ashely Newman. But Cy-Fair showed why they are so good, especially down the stretch and fought back to win 27-25 outscoring the Dawgs 8-2 for the win.
Magnolia's version of the Ministers of Defense: Kelli Stewart, Hannah Fort,
and Kristen Bergen were facing Cy Fair's Nneka Ogwumike and company.
Game 3 may have been the turning point in the young season for our Magnolia Lady Bulldogs. After getting the early lead at 4-3 the Dawgs seemed determined to never relinquish the lead again. They continued to play steady and rolled the Lady Bobcats 25-18 never letting the Cats get as close as 4 points away.
Lady Bulldog OHR Ashlynn Newman quickly
throws a wall up there to block another Cy Fair attempt.
Game 4 was more of the same as the Lady Bulldogs continue to pound away at Cy Fair. After an early 1-3 deficit Kaitlin Holland took over the serving duties and after a couple of aces the Dawgs were up 10-6. Michele 'Boom Boom' Williams had 3 consecutive kills to help get the team back on track and headed to victory. Cy Fair would get no closer than 3 points the rest of the way in this one.
The statistical numbers were impressive as both Alicia Shaffer and Michele Williams led the team in kills with 15 each. Leaders: Magnolia - Alicia Shaffer 15 kills, 24 digs; Michele Williams 15 kills, 12 digs; Kristyn Bergen 12 digs; Caitlin Holland 23 assists, 12 digs; Hannah Davies 19 assists
Record: Magnolia 17-7 Cy-Fair 9-7
GREAT JOB LADIES!!! YOU RULE!!
* Also, a special thanks to reporters Kibbles and Bones for supplying pics and details for this match! Great job fellas!
