DAWGS Raise the Bar, Corral Lady Mustangs

The Magnolia Lady Bulldog volleyball team got just what they needed on Friday night at the Dawg House - another quality playoff opponent to battle as they prepare for the 5A single elimination playoffs starting on Monday night at Klein Collins. It was business as usual for the Ladies but this was no ordinary opponent on the opposite side of the net. The Memorial Lady Mustangs are one of the top teams in the Houston area AND they knocked the Bulldogs out of the playoffs in the first round last season. They also beat them at the Spring Branch tournament earlier this year.

The Lady Bulldogs celebrating as they broke the Lady Mustangs in 3 sets!!

Payback and revenge were in order and our 15-5A champions came out with a vengence and maintained their composure in game 2 and then had their entire arsenal on display in game 3 as they added yet another sweep to their remarkable season in a 25-10, 28-26, 25-19 straight game victory. Surely Coach Johnson and Coach Kazmeirski had some reminder notices going out before this contest. The Lady Bulldogs have now won 16 consecutive matches and reached the magical 30 win plateau for the first time in 5A competition as they head into the playoffs with the confidence and resiliency of a team on a mission - to WIN it all. Look out Texas here they come! They have raised the bar of excellence and are prepared to take on all challengers near and far in Region 2 of the state playoff bracket.

Lady Bulldog MB Michele Williams splitting two Lady Mustangs with a kill.

Game 1 was an epic battle of two titans early on as each team traded kills with super junior MB Michele Williams leading the way with 3 kills as the teams battled to a 6-6 tie. Magnolia then started to wear down and frustrate their nemesis with sophomore OHR Kelli Stewart's solo block, full extension dig by junior OH Alicia Shaffer, and a monster kill by junior MB Hannah Fort. By the time senior setter Caitlin Holland and Shaffer completed their respective turns in the serving rotation the score was Magnolia 14 Memorial 7. An 8-1 run was just the beginning. After trading points the Lady Bulldogs then put together a dominating 9 point run highlighted by several senior OH Kristyn Bergen kills and digs and brilliant setting by Holland and sophomore setter Hannah Davies. Hannah Fort was at the controls with her superbly crisp and consistent serving . A finishing touch ace serve by Kelli Stewart helped put this one in the blowout category by the final tally of 25-10. The tone had been set!

Super Soph Kelli Stewart discouraged any Lady

Mustang attacks, forcing them to hit higher.

Game 2 was a test of the Ladies will to win and ability to remain composed under extreme pressure. Each team traded out serves mixed in with timely kills early on as they battled fiercely to an 8-8 standoff. A mixture of quality sets by Holland and Davies and kills by Williams, Shaffer, Bergen, and Fort had the Lady Bulldogs holding on to a 10-9 advantage. Memorial continued to pound the Dawgs with their experienced and talented front line to take an 18-14 advantage before yet another patented and familiar comeback by our cardiac kids. Alicia Shaffer was on the serving end yet again as the Dawgs clawed their way back into contention with a combo block by Bergen and Stewart and a Fort middle set kill knotted the contest at 18-18. An errant serve by Shaffer started the down slide of unforced errors for our Bulldogs as the Lady Mustangs built up a formidable 24-21 lead trying to close out game 2 and even the match. However, Michele Williams would have none of that in OUR Dawg House as she crushed an over pass and slammed down a perfect set by Holland to keep Magnolia alive at 24-23. A pressure packed dig by Bergen and an ensuing howitzer by Shaffer tied the game up at 24-24. Williams slammed another one home to keep the Ladies in the hunt before Shaffer ended the critical middle game of this match with 3 straight kills to close this one out at 28-26. Senior Anna Barren was instrumental with her back row digs and passing to help the Ladies to victory.

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Senior setter Caitlin Holland played great in

possibly her last game in the DAWG House.

Game 3 started out similar to game 1 with Williams taking control on her rotation in front row and blasting away at will to give the Bulldogs an early 3-0 lead. However, Memorial showed the Lady Bulldog fans why they will be a force to be reckoned with in Region 3 of the state playoff bracket as they controlled the net with powerful attack points mixed in with a few blocks to take a 7-5 lead. Fort started the comeback with a couple of combo blocks with sophomore OH Ashley Newman and after 5 consecutive "rat-a-tat-tat" Alicia Shaffer kills the Dawgs were on top 13-9. Bergen and Williams followed suit with several attack points of their own and after both combined for a block point the Ladies were up 17-11. A resourceful and unexpected back row attack point by talented sophomore Hannah Davies and the Dawgs were well in control at 21-13. A strategically placed kill by Newman and a finishing combo block by sophomore Stewart and Fort and the Lady Bulldogs were winners again. This time by the score of 25-19.

Lady Bulldog OHR Ashlynn Newman takes

on two Lady Mustangs and comes out on top.

The Ladies played perhaps their finest defensive match of the season. It seemed like everyone on the court had double-digit digs including setters Holland and Davies - and probably some nasty cuts and bruises to show for it. Once again, Senior Kristyn Bergen and Junior Alicia Shaffer led the way on defense. The Bulldog front line of Stewart, Williams, and Fort were phenomenal as well with their combination of blocking, attacking, AND digging. Jamie Kaleh and Mandi Gray were also in the rotation and play great. It was a total combined effort and should have the Ladies in great spirits as they head into the playoffs. If they continue playing at this level it will take a remarkable effort by their opponent to put an end to their reign of volleyball terror. Seven more victories in a row Ladies!

One at a time.....starting Monday night at Klein Collins High School. Game time is 7:00 PM.

...a special thanks to reporter Bones Shaffer for this great summary. Great job!!

GO DAWGS!!!