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!!!