There had to questions in the back of the minds of the fans, the coaches, and the players early Friday evening, as both of the teams eyed each other across the court while warming up for their match. One can only wonder how the players viewed themselves and their opponents after cruising through their district play unscathed? Questions, like: ...."Where our competitors not as strong as we thought they were?; and are we prepared to play at the next elevated level of competition?; Has the early tournament schedule prepared us for what we are about to face?; How well are our teams going to pull together as the situations become tougher? Which team is going to 'show up' tonight?; How will some of the newer players react to the state 5A playoff experience?" ... and so on.
The Memorial Lady Mustangs and the Magnolia Lady Bulldogs almost mirrored each other in appearance, approach, records, programs, and talent, and it was a very good match up (again) for both schools as they both prepared for their state runs. This is what it's all about!!
Lady Bulldog Alicia Shaffer serving up an Ace in the beginning of Set 1.
In the first set, the teams played as if it was a "do-or-die" playoff game and battled on every point, countering each other and not allowing either team to gain more than a 2 point advantage on the other before the other team would come back and tie the score and reverse the momentum. It was nip-and-tuck from the beginning and was the scenario late into the set until the DAWGS tied the game behind a Slammin', High Flyin', Kelli Stewart who sent a WMD missle to the middle of the 'Stangs' floor at 19-19. It was as if the DAWGS jammed a stake into the ground.
Junior Lady Bulldog Kelli Stewart found a way
to put the DAWGS in a position to win the first set.
After an error by the Stangs, the DAWGS looked to be in good shape at 20-19, but again Sidney Stewart didn't want to let go easily and killed one to tie it up again at 20-20, only to be denied the lead on the next play with a team mate's service error to Magnolia's advantage: 21-20. An error by the DAWGS put it at 21-21. A Michele Boom Boom Williams' Jammarooskie kill shot put the DAWGS back on top at 22-21. A Mustang error put it at 23-21, and Memorial's last time out was called. When play resumed, a DAWGIE error put the score at 23-22, then an error by the 'Stangs put it at 24-22 when this audio file starts up:
An elated group of Lady DAWGS after a crafty hit down the line by Alicia Shaffer.
Press > To Play:
DAWGS BITE HARD AT CRUNCH TIME!!!
