"Where were the Lady Bulldogs JV when the lights went out at Tomball Gym?" In the dark, of course, with a den of Lady Cougars eye-ing their prey and wanting to finish their meal at 21-16 in Game #2. What the Bullpups got was a reprieve of 20 minutes or so, as the lights cooled and re-lit the gymnasium so the Lady Cougars could pick up where they left off by trading points for a 25-20 victory and a district match win. The Lady Bulldogs JV had trailed the entire Game #2, still reeling from 'the one they let get away' earlier...
Game #1 started quite differently as the Bullpups 'dog-handled' Tomball at 4-1, 7-2, and with a good hit by Jamie Paulson put the JV in great shape and seemingly in charge at 8-3. The ladies must have awakened at this point as Tomball stormed back to tie the game at 8-8. A block point by Chelsea Jackson put the JV back on top at 10-8; a serve ace by Mandy Gray put JV again on top at 12-9; two kills by Kati Michael kept Magnolia in control at 18-13; two kills by Ashley Howe put the score at 20-16; Katie Kreft had a blocked point to update the score to 21-16; and a unforced Lady Cougar error put the Bullpups at 22-16 and a 'sure-fire' victory in their hands. Tomball then called for a time out, re-grouped and quietly scored 5 points to Magnolia's 2 before Magnolia called for their first time out at 24-21. The damage at this point had been done and the Lady Cougars JV now had the momentum coupled with the Bullpups on their back paws. When play resumed, Tomball scored 3 straight to go on top at 25-24. An error by Tomball tied the game at 25-25 and another error put Magnolia in the 'cat-bird' seat at 26-25. Again, a great 'momentum-turning' timeout was called for by the Tomball coach and again, when play resumed, the Lady Cougars scored 3 straight points - without interruption, for a shocking 28-26 win. The sullen Bullpups had committed too many unforced errors, had no 'closure' nor killer instinct, and appeared to be sleeping at the wheel in this game by allowing the Lady Cougars JV to gain the momentum and confidence they needed to devour the wandering Bullpups (now 3-5 in district play).
Indeed, a depressing match, but the ladies must re-group and put it behind them for their district match Friday night against the Jersey Village Lady Falcons.
Game #1 started quite differently as the Bullpups 'dog-handled' Tomball at 4-1, 7-2, and with a good hit by Jamie Paulson put the JV in great shape and seemingly in charge at 8-3. The ladies must have awakened at this point as Tomball stormed back to tie the game at 8-8. A block point by Chelsea Jackson put the JV back on top at 10-8; a serve ace by Mandy Gray put JV again on top at 12-9; two kills by Kati Michael kept Magnolia in control at 18-13; two kills by Ashley Howe put the score at 20-16; Katie Kreft had a blocked point to update the score to 21-16; and a unforced Lady Cougar error put the Bullpups at 22-16 and a 'sure-fire' victory in their hands. Tomball then called for a time out, re-grouped and quietly scored 5 points to Magnolia's 2 before Magnolia called for their first time out at 24-21. The damage at this point had been done and the Lady Cougars JV now had the momentum coupled with the Bullpups on their back paws. When play resumed, Tomball scored 3 straight to go on top at 25-24. An error by Tomball tied the game at 25-25 and another error put Magnolia in the 'cat-bird' seat at 26-25. Again, a great 'momentum-turning' timeout was called for by the Tomball coach and again, when play resumed, the Lady Cougars scored 3 straight points - without interruption, for a shocking 28-26 win. The sullen Bullpups had committed too many unforced errors, had no 'closure' nor killer instinct, and appeared to be sleeping at the wheel in this game by allowing the Lady Cougars JV to gain the momentum and confidence they needed to devour the wandering Bullpups (now 3-5 in district play).
Indeed, a depressing match, but the ladies must re-group and put it behind them for their district match Friday night against the Jersey Village Lady Falcons.
