DAWGS Face Hereford in 4A Semi Finals

The Magnolia High School Lady Bulldogs gave it all they had, but came up short against the seasoned, top ranked Hereford Lady Whiteface (44-3) in the Texas state 4A semifinals this evening, falling in 3 (25-18, 30-28, 25-19) tough, hard-played sets. Try as they may, the DAWGS stepped it up nearly even-ing the match in their second set, but Hereford wouldn't be derailed en route to their fifth state championship as the experienced, and impressive incumbent.

The following was condensed from LoneStar Volleyball posts:

In the first set, Natasha Giacomazzi had a couple of aces as the Lady Whiteface from Hereford (43-3) jumped to a 5-1 early lead on the Magnolia Lady Bulldogs, forcing a Magnolia time out in the 4A semifinal. When play resumed, Carley McCracken and Raegan Shelton unloaded on Magnolia and led by 8 at 13-5 in game one. Magnolia's defense had their hands full. Kelli Stewart had a couple of big kills and a block as Magnolia pulled within 5 at 16-11 and again at 18-13, but Hereford had way too many weapons for Magnolia to handle and took game one 25-18.

Magnolia settled down and came out strong as Kelli Stewart gave the Lady Bulldogs a 7-4 lead to start game two. The DAWGS expanded their lead as Meagan Little's ace gave Magnolia a 5 point lead at 14-9, which forced a Hereford time out. Meagan Little and Katzy Randall combined on a block to put Magnolia up 20-15, but a Hereford block, a Magnolia mistake and a kill by Andee Josserand cut the lead to 20-18. Kelli Stewart put Magnolia up 22-20 Josserand pulled Hereford within 1 at 22-21. Diane Knight's stuff tied it .Josserand's blast gave Hereford the lead 23-22 and Magnolia called time out. Both teams were playing at an intense level. Kelli Stewart on the slide to the middle made it 23-23. Hereford answered on Josserand's blast from the left 24-23, then committed a violation tying the score at 24-24. Katzy Randall's cross court kill put Magnolia up 25-24... Time out called by Hereford ...When time resumed, Shelton off the block tied it again at 25-25; Knight on the block put Hereford up at 26-25, when Meagan Little tied it once again, from the middle 26-26. Hereford went ahead at 27-26 on a Magnolia hitting error; then Meagan Little's soft dink in the middle tied it at 27-27.. Hereford went ahead 28-27 with the DAWGS getting into the net, then tied again at 28-28 with Josserand into the net. Hereford went up 29-28 with Josserand on a great save, then finished it 30-28 with McCracken on the stuff. The DAWGS dropped a close one, and now trailed 0-2 in the best 3-out-of-5 series.

Raegan Shelton had Hereford off to a fast start and a 9-5 lead in the third set., when timeout was called by Magnolia. Josserand gave Hereford a 2 point lead at 16-14 after Magnolia fought back from being 5 down at 14-9. Hereford started rolling from then on. Shelton's rip from the left gave Hereford a 21-15 lead. Hereford left no doubt in game three as they completely dominated the net on offense and defense to finish off the sweep at 25-19.

Magnolia was led by Meagan Little’s 9 kills in the middle. Courtney Felinksi and Kelli Stewart each had 8 and Katzy Randall had 7 as Paige Holland (29) continually looked for an offensive spark. Felinski and Randall are sophomores, “and I thought our sophomores really carried the load tonight,” said Johnson. “I was very proud of them.”

Magnolia: Paige Holland - 29 assists, 8 digs, 3 BA Angi Gould - 2 assists, 1 ace, 8 digs; Meagan Little - 9 kills, 1 assist, 2 aces, 1 BS, 1 BA Courtney Felinski - 8 kills, 1 BS, 1 BA Kelli Stewart - 8 kills, 9 digs, Katzy Randall - 7 kills, 11 digs, 1 BA Hannah Davies - 1 assist, 10 digs Breane Matula - 3 kills, 2 digs, 1 BA

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

WE LOVE YOU, DAWGS!!!

THURSDAY, NOV. 20

UIL STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

STRAHAN COLISEUM, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

4A STATE SEMIFINALS

5 PM MAGNOLIA VS. HEREFORD

7 PM HIGHLAND PARK VS. LAKE TRAVIS

SATURDAY 4A FINALS AT 3 PM

LADY BULLDOGS TO STATE!!!

WOW! Lady Bulldogs defeat Brenham in the region final!
15-7 in game five!!

Details on state tournament in San Marcos to follow on Sunday!

We will play Thursday at 5 or 7 pm.

GO DOGS!!!

DAWGS 4A State Bound

The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs pulled them themselves back from the brink of elimination at 24-25 in set 4 to win and go to the final set in this best-of-5 series, against their rival and nemesis - the Brenham Lady Cubettes. The two teams have been on an unavoidable collision-course since the beginning of the season and truth-be-known, needed each other as rivals to keep striving to be better. After all, what would Batman be like without a Joker? The duel was not a disappointment! The fans, press, security, UIL representatives, and every other breathing human being were treated to a classic, Texas-style donneybrook in the Coleman Coliseum and it was almost a shame that some one had to go home without the 4A Region III trophy. I said almost. The drama, the excitement, the cheering, the friendships, the school pride, the disappointment, the tradition, the pagentry of it all .... it was all there-- bottled up in this venue and undoubtedly being experienced by everyone on both sides of the isles and on the floor!

It was a tough loss for Brenham, who also played like champions.

You can be guaranteed that you'll see them for years to come!

To get to where these teams are, you'll have to go back to the first meeting between these 'evil twins', .....errrrrr teams, on October 8th (pan out, fade back, with harp gently playing.....) with the match going the DAWGS way in 5 emotional sets inside the DAWG House; then spring -boarding 6 days forward to October 14th, traveling to their northwestern neighbor's pad in Brenham, as the host Cubettes took the DAWGS down in 4 raging games ... and of course, not without controversy thrown into the mix. Both teams were evenly matched, familiar with each other (club volleyball team mates) and played hard, clean volleyball. The end result was both squads were District 18-4A Co-Champions, but it really meant there were 2 Kings-of-this-hill with some unanswered questions. Somehow it just didn't feel right with both teams having to "agree to disagree" and take different seeded paths into the playoffs. It was hard to say who had more revenge on their minds, and even harder to say who wanted this re-match more than the other. I guess it's a good reason to take it out and settle it on the court ....that's why we play 'em folks!!!

The Lady Bulldogs were Region III 4A Champs for a

whole 5 seconds when this picture was taken!

The first set uncharacteristically went to the Cubettes 25-22 who trailed for more than the first half of the set until they forged ahead at 16-15. The DAWGS opened the set up with a Meagan Little kill at 1-0 which was followed up by Kelli Stewart at 2-0 and the Cubettes answered with a couple of kills of their own. Courtney Felinski hammered one at 4-3 before Katzy Randall went on a tear with 4 kills at (5-4, 6-5, and 7-6; and later with a backrow blast at 15-14) as Kelli rotated around and chimed in kills at 8-6, and 11-6 (and blocked 2 shots in-between). The Cubettes were hanging close-by and not going away as the teams tied themselves up 4 more times. That is, until the Cubettes serving game gave the DAWGS trouble from that point forward, starting at 21-20. The DAWGS could only muster a couple of points while playing back on their paws, as the Cubettes closed the set, going away at 25-22.

Breane Matula had a pair of kills enabling the

DAWGS for a comeback win in the second set.

Set 2, same start ... but with better results. The DAWGS led from start to finish, stretching the lead to 9 points at 11-2, thanks to a great team effort: (Paige Holland kill at 3-0, Meagan Little kill at 4-1, Courtney Felinski kill from a quick set at 7-2, then a pair of kills from Breane Matula 7-2 and 10-2, and a Kelli Stewart block at 11-2). The DAWGS continued to press forward with their powerful offense and a fast moving defense, outscoring the Cubettes by 3 over the next 10 points, with the score settling at 21-9. The teams traded points from that forward 5 to 5, unfortunately the Cubettes did not have them to spare. Final: 25-14 .... DAWGS. The sets are tied at 1-1, and now the game is afoot, only with a shorter field, as the eventual winner will just need to take the next 2-out-of-3. The place was beginning to buzz.....

Courtney Felinski and Breane Matula in perfect position

to block the Cubettes attack. It also helps to have Paige

Holland and Hannah Davies backing you up, too!

Set 3 .... role reversal? Are you kidding? Who would think otherwise? Coming off such a dominating performance, you'd think the DAWGS would hit the ground running and outdistance the Cubettes from the get-go, right? Wrong....!!! Instead the DAWGS committed 3 errors at the start and it took Kelli Stewart a couple of kills, one at 1-3 and another at 2-3, and a block at 3-3 to get the DAWGS back into the set. Unfortunately, tying the set was not going to be enough.The teams fought it out, closely tying themselves 4 times from that point without leading or trailing by more than 2 points until midway in the set at 11-11. The Cubettes played exceptional defense and methodically, dismantled the DAWGS' machine, jumping out to a 7 point advantage on a 14 to 7 run to the finsh line. Score: Cubettes 25 and DAWGS 18. The field got incredibly shorter...

Super sophomore Setter Paige Holland again moved

the ball around nicely, finishing with 53 assists!

Set 4 .... a marathon! The emotional roller-coaster, the kill-or-be-killed game; it's all or nothing; there can be just one; all the cliches could be rolled onto the court! Again, the Cubettes led early in the match...up to 4 points at 8-4, before the DAWGS roared back with 5 straight to lead at 9-8 and one burned time-out by the Cubette coaching staff. The DAWGS kept playing hard and pushing ahead behind Courtney Felinski's kill at 10-10 (to stop the momentum of 2 Cubette kills); then a Meagan Little/Breane Matula block at 11-10, followed by a Katzy Randall kill at 13-10 and a bunch of Cubette miscues and kills and another Meagan Little kill at 16-14; and a Kelli Stewart dink at 18-15 and an error later, the DAWGS had pulled ahead by 4 at 19-15 and the last timeout was called by Brenham. Once time was called back in the Cubettes scored 5 straight before the DAWGS scored one to tie the set at 20-20. The DAWGS went ahead by 2 at 22-20, then gave one back at 22-21; then traded points and added a kill at 24-22. Brenham came back with 2 points of their own at 24-24, then went ahead, smelling a chance to stab the DAWGS in the heart with a dagger and avenging their earlier district loss to the DAWGS with a kill at 25-24. Gulp! Is the DAWGIE Machine nearing extinction and grinding to its' end?

Angi Gould was giving all she had! It was this kind of effort ALL

of the ladies were giving that was needed for tonight's victory!

The DAWGS roared, "Absolutely not!" and quickly resurected themselves and blasted 3 straight to win by 2 at 27-25 and to live and fight another day! An incredible, gutsy execution at their darkest moment. The ladies are breathing on their own and it was only a flesh wound! The good news just got even better.....the match is now tied at 2 apiece and a sprint to be the first to score 15 points in the upcoming and deciding set is all that's needed by the winning team to be crowned as the Regional Champions! Holy, frijole .... you gotta love this game!!!

Katzy Randall went around the defending Cubettes ... Ya!! 14 times!

Set 5 ... The cream rises to the top! Thankfully, the DAWGS blew straight ahead out of the starting blocks, capitalizing on a lift error by the Cubettes at 1-0, then launching a missile from Kelli Stewart's arsenal at 2-0; then a Meagan Little blast of her own at 3-0; followed up by a trio of kills by Kelli at 3-1, 4-1, and at 5-1 and the DAWGS were just finding their comfort zone. The fantastic start in this nail biter was just what the doctor ordered for any of the cardio-challenged DAWG lovers! The teams split points evenly and found themselves in the same relative position at 10-4, but now with an even shorter, quick sprint ahead of themselves for the win and the prize! Again, the Lady Bulldogs pushed forward adding the extra strength that was being gathered with each new point ... and now the trophy was within their grasp! Click on the audio file below:

Senior Kelli Stewart gave another command performance

with 23 kills, 19 digs, 3 aces and 5 block assists!

Press > to Play:

The 2008 Magnolia Lady Bulldogs

4A Region III Champions

The Ladies did it! They won the right to represent the Region III as the champions and deserve every bit of it! It has been a long and tough road and the team has proved themselves against the best 4A and 5A teams in the state. They deserve and have earned our support with their hard work and are all great champions in their own right. The DAWGS' superb performance was lead by Kelli Stewart's 23 kills, 5 block assists, 19 digs and 3 aces; Katzy Randall who had 14 kills, 1 solo block, 30 digs and 2 aces; then MB Meagan Little's 11 kills, 3 block assists and 1 ace; then with Courtney Felinski's 5 kills with 3 block assists and Breane Matula's 5 kills with 1 solo and 1 block assist. Setter Paige Holland had 1 kill, 19 digs, to go with her 53 assists. Defensively, the DAWGS were sparked by libero Hannah Davies 20 digs and DS Angi Gould's 14 digs.

Defensively, senior Hannah Davies has played an inspiring season!

For the first time since 1997, the Magnolia Lady Bulldogs are going back to the State Playoffs and the date is Thursday, Nov. 20 and will be played at the Strahan Coliseum, at the Texas State University.

The 4-A Playoffs competition begins at 5 PM with our Magnolia Lady Bulldogs taking on Hereford with Highland Park taking on Lake Travis at 7 PM. You may remember Highland Park from our meeting last year in Huntsville!

The 4A Final Match will be held on Saturday at 3 PM. You can check the UIL website at www.uil.utexas.edu for all the tournament info, gate prices, etc. If you are making hotel reservations, parents will need to book rooms themselves.

Great fun and entertainment. Folks, support your Lady Bulldogs and cheer them on to the STATE TITLE !!!

KEEP WORKING HARD, DAWGS!!!

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!

DAWGS Sweep Lady Mustangs in Regionals

The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs made it a clean sweep (25-13, 25-20, and 25-23) over the Friendswood Lady Mustangs tonight in the second match of a double header in the Regional III Semi-Finals competition. The DAWGS overpowered the Stangs from the hitting lanes, played great defensively; and with 3 solid 'consistent sets' of DAWGIE ball.

Lady Bulldogs Courtney Felinski (6) and

Breane Matula (5) at the top of their game.

In this final set, the DAWGS came out of the pen with a charge, quickly leading by 8 at 13-5 and firmly in charge with this 3rd set with Kills by Kelli Stewart at 1-0; at 4-1 after Courtney Felinski blocked an attack attempt at 3-0; then with a backrow shot at 6-3; with 2 blasts out of Katzy Randall at 8-4 and 9-5; and a block from the "always reliable", MB Meagan Little at 10-5.... and a bunch of Lady Mustang errors. The Stangs turned the table from there and outscored the DAWGS by 5 with a 14 to 9 gallop towards the finish line and were within striking distance at 22-19. Meagan Little blasted another kill at 23-19 and with a Lady Mustang's error the score went to match point at 24-19, and things looked pretty good for the DAWGS. Again, the Stangs made a run and scored 4 straight, tightening the noose to 24-23, but turned out to be "too little too late" as Katzy Randall ended it with a kill shot that landed in front of the line judge and just as suddenly, half the fans went silent on the south side of the Coleman Coliseum and the other half went nuts!!

The DAWGS were in a celebratory mood at the end of this one!

The DAWGS had just advanced to the Region III Finals which will be played at the very same Coleman Coliseum at 6:00 PM Saturday November 15th. The ladies will be facing their district 18-4A rival: the Brenham Lady Cubettes who happen to share the district co-championship title with the DAWGS. The Cubettes took care of the El Campo Ladybirds in the earlier match.

The Lady Bulldogs were led by senior Kelli Stewart's 17 Kills, 9 Digs, and 3 Aces; sophomore Katzy Randall who had 12 Kills, 15 Digs, with 1 Ace; senior MB Meagan Little who had 8 Kills; with sophomore MB Courtney Felinski and senior OHR Breane Matula both having 3 Kills apiece. Defensively, senior Libero Hannah Davies covered the floor for 17 Digs, with team mate sophomore setter Paige Holland totalling 10 Digs, but with an incredible 41 assists. Junior DS Angi Gould added to the war chest with 2 Aces.

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

DAWGS Put it All Together in Set 2

After coming off a quick and deadly start in the first set, the confident Lady Bulldogs would need to keep the momentum going their way and keep focused on the Lady Mustangs on the other side of the net and what was ahead. After all.... this is the state playoffs.

Friendswood came out swinging with a kill shot to open the set. Paige Holland answered their point quickly by drawing the Mustang front line into the net and dastardly, dinking the ball behind herself while looking like she was going to set the ball to the outside. (You just gotta love that shot when it works for you, and absolutely hate it, when it work's against you!) Sophomore team mate MB Courtney Felinski set the prescedent for her team mates with a follow-up kill shot through the middle at 2-1, and the DAWGS turned to butter...... as in, "you can call me BUTTER, 'cause I'm on a roll".

The DAWGS opened the lead to 4 at 11-7, as the team scoring had gone full circle (Katzy Randall kills at 6-4 and 7-5; Meagan Little at 9-6 .... with the ball bouncing off a wounded Stang and ending 8 or 9 rows up in the colesium, and at 10-7; culminating with another patented Paige Holland dink. It seemed the Lady Mustangs were very talented, but maybe, 'slow-learners'....

OH Lady Bulldog Katzy Randall blew 3 kills by the

Mustangs down the stretch, for a pivital DAWGIE victory.

Both teams continued their combative play with neither team making up any ground at the expense of the other. But both teams were10 points farther down the line, with plenty of work that still needed to be done at 21-17. In that stretch, the high-flyin' Kelli Stewart pounded Friendswood with kills at 13-9, 14-10, and an ace serve at 15-10; Katzy Randall continued her assault as the rotation came around with kills at 16-11, 18-15,and 19-16; and the DAWGS had the luxury of being closer to the finish line. We'll let the audio file describe the events from here:

The Mustangs may have felt like they were experiencing 'double

vision' as Kelli Stewart pounded them for 5 kills in the second set.

Press > to Play:

The DAWGS have been showing a multi-pronged attack that opposing teams will continue to have a hard time defending against and one can only truly see what a team effort can do when it's working like the DAWGS have it going right now. Volleyball is a team sport and when it clicks, it is an awesome sport to play and to watch ....... I'll take the latter, thank you!

ALL THE WAY DAWGS!!!

DAWGS Stampede Mustangs in First Set

Divide and Conquer....who knew (other than the Lady Bulldogs) this was the perfect strategy for taking on the tall and talented Friendswood Lady Mustangs (25-9, 11-1) in the Reginal III Semi-Finals? In a war-like chess game turned volleyball-ish (ok, so it's a stretch) the strategy could be applied as the Mustang front line stacked up well against the DAWGS, and the team and staff had to figure a way around the debacle. Enter Kelli Stewart, Katzy Randall, Meagan Little, Courtney Felinski, Breane Matula, Paige Holland, Angi Gould, and .... the all too important: Hannah Davies and team mates.

The DAWGS needed to be successful hitting from the outside(s) to force the middle blocker over to double-team the block, then quick-set and/or set and hit the (open) middle area when appropiate. It also meant that a tip was just as valuable as a point, as was a crushing, crosscourt kill shot. This same strategy applied by the other team could come back to bite the 'good-guys' too! It may have been Hannah Davies finest hour as the libero was at the right place, at the right time --- at least 17 times (and more). When the Mustangs tried to dink the ball over the defending DAWGS, Hannah was there, one step ahead. When a hard-hit ball got through, Hannah was there, with her outstretched arms. Without her digs and passes the DAWGS couldn't transition back to offense, when they'd been attacked and to go after the Mustangs when they were out-of-position.

Senior MHS Lady Bulldog Hannah Davies had it all

going her way with her great play this evening.

The Lady Bulldogs never looked back from the first Meagan Little kill at 1-0 until the final buzzer. The DAWGS stampeded the Mustang herd, bombarding, then cutting the horses out, by moving the ball side to side and hitting the open lanes with blistering kill shots. For the DAWGS, it meant a Courtney Felinski Glide at 2-1; a couple of Katzy Randall missiles at 5-3, 6-3; a kill by Breane Matula on the right at 7-5; and Meagan again in the middle at 8-5. The Stangs were getting a little skiddish as the DAWGS went on a 7 point run, and the strategy was working like a charm.

Senior OHR Breane Matula controlled the left side of the Mustangs

machine, while blasting away on the DAWGS' right side.

When the next rotation came around for super-senior Kelli Stewart, the DAWGS were zeroing in on the Lady Mustangs, as Kelli lit them up, scattering kills at 13-7, a block at 15-7; a follow-up kill (after Meagan jammed them again at 16-7) with a lightning-bolt-of-a-shot at 18-8; and then another blast at 19-10. Just when things looked bad for Friendswood ... yes, it was Hannah Davies' turn!! Senior Libero Hannah who may have been operating in 'stealth mode', and recalling her years of setting skills and techniques, carefully pushed her shot close to the Mustangs' back line for a kill at 20-10 and the rout was officially on. Here's the audio clip on this one ...

Press > to Play:

Whoa, Ladies!! ... DAWGS Rule!!!

DAWGS Head to Regional Semi Finals

The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs and the Buda Hays Lady Rebels went head to head in their Regional Quarter Finals match in the confines of the Mary Hardin Baylor's Mayborn Campus Center, Tuesday evening and the DAWGS came out on top (3-1). Magnolia took the first set 25-14, then dropped the second set 23-25, before regrouping and taking the next two sets 25-11 and 25-12.

Lady Bulldog hitter Katzy Randall had the jump

on the Lady Rebels enroute to a 13 kill evening.

Kelli Stewart, Katzy Randall, and Meagan Little each had 13 kills. Courtney Felinski had 6 kills and 2 solo blocks, and several assist blocks. The official stats were not available immediately post game.

Lady Bulldogs OHR Breane Matula (L) and MB Courtney

Felinski teamed up to shut down the Lady Rebels' attack.

The DAWGS will be facing the Friendswood Lady Mustangs in the Regional Semi Finals on Friday (see info below). After capturing the Class 4A Region III title the last two years, Friendswood knows how to win in November. The Mustangs held off the Foster Lady Falcons en route to a 4 set victory (25-10, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13 ) at the Wheeler Fieldhouse in the Regional Quarterfinals.

Super seniors MB Meagan Little and OHL Kelli Stewart had a memorable

moment to go along with their 13 kill performance against Buda Hays.

from the desk of Coach J:

REGIONAL SEMI-FINAL VOLLEYBALL

Friday, Nov. 14

(6:00 pm Brenham vs. El Campo)
7:30 pm Magnolia vs. Friendswood

Magnolia is home team, fans will be seated on the north side of coliseum.

Coleman Coliseum, Spring Branch ISD

Directions from MHS: 1488 to 149 to 249 to Sam Houston Tollway, Turn right on Sam Houston Tollway W, Take I-10 W Exit, From I-10 Exit Dairy Ashford and turn left, Coliseum is on left side half mile at 1050 Dairy Ashford.

Gates open at 5 pm.
Tickets are $7 adults, $5 students, Employees of the schools involved will be admitted for FREE by presenting their MISD I.D. badge

COME OUT TO SUPPORT THE LADY BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL TEAM AT REGIONALS!!

Regional Finals, Saturday, Nov. 15, at 6:00 PM.

Terri Johnson
Girls Athletic Coordinator
Head Volleyball Coach
Magnolia High School

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

DAWGS RULE!!!

DAWGS in Regional Quarterfinals

from the desk of Coach J:

MHS LADY BULLDOG VOLLEYBALL TEAM IN REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS!

Tuesday, Nov. 11, Lady Bulldogs vs. Hays, at Mary-Hardin Baylor's Mayborn Campus Center at 7:30 pm. Gate will open at 6:45 pm, Adults $4, Students $2

ROAD TRIP!!

COME OUT & SUPPORT THE LADY BULLDOGS!!!
(it will be fun to beat them in volleyball AND football in the same week!)

Directions from Mapquest:

Go to 105 to Navasota, then take HWY 6 to Bryan/College Station; Take the 79/190 W toward Milano; Go right onto 190/79 West about 20 miles; Take 190W/36 N toward Cameron; about 37 miles;

Turn left onto FM 93; Turn right onto TX-317/N Main St; Turn left on 9th Ave (onto campus), Go to University Drive and turn right, Coliseum is on your right.


Terri Johnson

Girls Athletic Coordinator

Head Volleyball Coach

Magnolia High School

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!

DAWGS Chase Down Cougars

The DAWGS (29-13) had taken the first two sets (26-24 and 25-14) from the Crosby Lady Cougars and didn't want to give the run-down Coogs any ideas of a comeback, a remote chance, or even a glimmer of a hope in this third one. It could spark the explosive Coogs who were talented enough to turn the whole match around as they did in the first set and the Lady Bulldogs certainly didn't want to give them any confidence building blocks enabling them to start stringing some 'runs' together.

Katzy Randall and Courtney Felinski shutting down

the Coogs while Breane Matula (5) oversees the action.

With that in mind the DAWGS picked up from where they left off in their second set and tore into the Coogs, running out to a 6-1 lead behind a opening missle by Meagan Little at 1-0, and a couple of Kelli Stewart kills (2-1 and at 3-1) and 3 errors by the scampering, but charitable Lady Cougars. The DAWGS kept the pressure on as the rotation came around as Courtney Felinski and Katzy Randall teamed up for a block at 8-3, then Courtney blasted a shot at 11-3; and Katzy put a couple more kills on the scoreboard at 12-4 and 14-6 and it seemed as though the Coogs were beginning to put their paws in the air, as if to say, "Enough already!!" But Meagan and Kelli were not about to be drawn into any complacent thoughts and continued their assault (Meagan with a shot at 16-6 and at 19-7) and (Kelli's kill at 20-8) with no signs of mercy. This audio file picks up from here:

Press > To Play:

This winning kill by Breane Matula in the final set sent

the dejected Lady Coogs home and looking to next year.

The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs were led by Kelli Stewart who had 11 kills with her 4 ace serves; followed by Meagan Little who had another consistent and impressive night's work with 9 kills, 1 block assist and 1 ace; followed by an equally impressive evening by Katzy Randall. Katzy had 8 kills, 1 solo and 1 block assist, 11 digs and an ace serve. Breane Matula had a busy night with 5 kills, 1 block assist while team mate Courtney Felinski had 4 kills with a block assist. Setter Paige Holland had a couple of kills, 2 aces and 30 assists while Hannah Davies had a couple of aces herself along with 13 digs along with Angi Gould who had an ace serve to her credit as well.

The LADY BULLDOGS have won their Area match by defeating the (30-6) Crosby Lady Cougars 26-24, 25-14, 25-13 tonight to move into the REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS which will be on Tuesday, Nov. 11 playing against Buda Hays (25-15 and 12-0 District 17-4A) with the time and place to be decided this weekend.The Lady Rebels defeated Port Neches-Groves in Area playoff action. The win came in 4 games. In Bi-district action, the Lady Rebels defeated Huntsville in 3 games.

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

DAWGS Keep 'Em Rolling

The Lady Bulldogs knew they were in a tough match...they had just dodged a bullet by coming back from the dead with 6 straight points in a 9 to 1 scoring run 'at the buzzer' in the opener. The DAWGS had seen what the Lady Cougars were capable of and surely didn't want to be facing that scenario again. Those types of rallies are what legends are made of, and not a normal playoff occurence, and here they were at the crossroads in a set that could make the match go either the hard panned, bumpy, uphill all-the-way, rocky road , or ......the Autobahn !! Hhhhmmmmm....??!! It had to be running through the ladies' preoccupied (collective) minds because the Coogs wasted no time as they went on a revengeful run of their own - jammin' the DAWGS 3 straight at 3-0, then following the quick start with a kill shot at 4-1.

The DAWGS had to pick up the pace and it started with

great defensive work and passing. Here senior Libero

Hannah Davies passes it forward!

The DAWGS sounded the alarm again and immediately put their work clothes back on and tied the score up at 4 apiece, behind a Kelli Stewart shot at 2-4, then playing some tough, gritty, defense forcing the Coogs into hitting 2 shots into the net. The DAWGS began gathering a little momentum as the teams traded points and tied themselves up 3 more times before they began to outdistance themselves from the panting Cougars. Again Meagan Little started the 'Killa Machine' rolling with a tip at 8-7, then a patented hatchet kill at 9-7 (that only Meagan can do!) ; fueling Kelli Stewart who blasted a kill at 11-8; which ignited Katzy Randall for a backrow kill at 12-8, and then an ace at 13-8. The DAWGS were on the prowl, barking loudly, but hardly finished....

Meagan Little punished the Coogs with 9 kills in tonight's match.

The rotation came around again as Kelli Stewart kept things moving forward again with a kill at 15-8, and sure enough ..... Meagan was back with a kill at 16-9, firing Kelli up, who added a couple more kills to the mix at 17-9 and 19-11. The DAWGS had their paws to the pedal and were not looking back, as this audio file kicks in:

Press > to Play:

Sophomore Lady Bulldog Courtney Felinski controlling

the right side vs the Lady Cougars with her prowess!

The DAWGS worked hard and picked the right road to go on, in this one. There was still work to be done, but the ladies put themselves in the right position to be in (if they didn't want it to be an inclined trail all the way). They were in the enviable position of cruising two-thirds of the way through a hard fought and grueling race, and now with just a second to look back - there's hardly a speck of their opponent in their rear view mirror. That had to make the ladies feel a little better, after all ... "You're not really speeding if no one notices it....."

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

DAWGS Out-Duel Cougars in First Set

The DAWGS put together one of their finest comeback victories certainly in this season (and possibly in their playoff history) in this exciting and entertaining opening set. It sure didn't start out this way....

Kelli Stewart's kill at 7-1 must've scared the Lady

Cougars straight as they battled to take the first

set from the DAWGS.

Actually the DAWGS opened up with blistering attacks by Meagan Little at 1-0, Courtney Felinski at 3-0; then a Breane Matula kill on the right side at 6-1, followed with a hammer-kill shot by Kelli Stewart at 7-1... when a time out had to be called by the Coogs' coaching staff. The Lady Bulldogs stretched the lead to 8 at 13-5 with just about everyone getting in on the action. There was Kelli at 8-3; Breane at 9-3; Katzy Randall tipping for a point at 10-4; then Breane blasting another one at 12-4; and once the lead seemed unsurmountable - the guns went silent. At least on the DAWGIE Nation side... The Lady Cougars proceeded to open up their arsenal and blew in 11 points to the DAWGS 3, and here we were somehow tied up with the lead squandered at 16-16.

The Lady Bulldogs had lost their MoJo. The Coogs patiently came back and went ahead as the DAWGS scrambled to find their composure. The DAWGS dropped 8 straight points to trail at 16-22 and this opening set and this evening's match was looking at it's darkest hour for the DAWGS.

Outside hitter Katzy Randall and her team mates

put it all together when it was needed the most!

The ladies would need a super-heroine attempt to get back in this set. All they had to do was outscore the Coogs at crunch time 10 to 2 .... no big deal!! Here's what they did in this audio file:

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HOLY FRIJOLE, LADY BULLDOGS!!!

WAY TO GO BULLDOGS!!!

DAWGS Too Much in the Third

The Del Valle fans kept an eye on a kill shot launched

by Courtney Felinski that richoceted off the Lady

Cardinals and may have not returned to earth, yet.

The Lady Bulldogs powered their way to a sweep (25-18, 25-7, and 25-12) over the Del Valle Lady Cardinals as they opened their bi-district play with another impressive opening run.

In this final set, the DAWGS jumped the fence without looking back and scampered to 7 unanswered points in this final set. The DAWGS jumped on the Cards utilizing a multitude of weapons with setter Paige Holland opening the scoring with a dink at 1-0; followed by a Meagan Little ace serve at 2-0; topped off by a Kelli Stewart 'tip and kill' at 3 and 4-0; then iced off by a trio of kills generated by Courtney Felinski at 5-0, 6-0, and 7-0. The DAWGS stayed far enough out front behind a mid-game flurry out of Katzy Randall, with blasts at 16-4, 17-5, and 18-5; and another merciless and explosive kill out of Meagan Little at 19-5; to set up the audio file below which picks up the action as the Lady Cardinals have tightened the game up a bit at 20-10 and are rallying to get back into the match:

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Several 'Believers', indeed! Kelli Stewart and Courtney

Felinski rejected this Lady Cardinal attack, as Hannah

Davies covered their backs.

The DAWGS again were led by Kelli Stewart who (tar and) feathered the Lady Cardinals for 16 kills, 10 digs, and one block assist; with senior Meagan Little who scattered the Birds with 9 kills and 4 ace serves; with sophomore Katzy Randall who had 6 kills, 13 digs, one solo and one combo block; followed closely by MB Courtney Felinski who had 5 kills with one solo and 2 combo blocks; OHR senior Breane Matula who hammered 4 kills on the right; and with a kill from setter Paige Holland - who also had 9 digs, 1 solo block, 2 aces, to go along with her impressive performance dishing out 36 assists. Defensively, Hannah Davies had 13 digs while Angi Gould contributed another solid outing with 6 digs.

The DAWGS have taken their first step and will be looking forward to facing the Lady Cougars from Crosby who defeated Nederland in their match (25-18, 25-14, 25-19). The team will play Friday night, Nov. 7, vs. Crosby at New Caney High School at 5:30 pm.

GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

DAWGS Cage the Lady Cardinals in 2nd Set

The DAWGS continued with their onslought by wratcheting their game up another level in this set and quickly jumping out to a 10-4 lead. The overpowered Lady Cardinals could not find a remedy to keep the DAWGS from finding open lanes to hit in to, or to protect themselves by stopping the blistering kills that were bouncing off them.

Senior Breane Matula turned the tide for the DAWGS

by starting a run against the skiddish Lady Cardinals.

Actually, the DAWGS really came to life from this point in the match going forward as they took off on a 6 point run starting with a Breane Matula kill at 11-5; then a Paige Holland (sneaky) dink at 12-5; followed by switching kills by Katzy Randall at 13-5 and a block at 15-5, sandwiched between Meagan Little's shotgun blast at 14-5 and again at 16-5.

Meagan Little hammering home one of her

9 kills between 2 Lady Cardinal defenders.

The audio file below picks up from there, as the DAWGS have circled their featherly friends and are getting ready to pounce:

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WAY TO GO LADY BULLDOGS!!!

BULLDOG PRIDE!!!