Bulldogs beat Lions in thrilling five-set volleyball match
Ozark County volleyball fans got their money’s worth Tuesday, Sept. 16 when the Bakersfield Lady Lions traveled to Gainesville to take on the Lady Bulldogs.
It took five sets, but the Lady Bulldogs took the win.
“We had a strong start to our season, but had a little bump in the road after losing two matches back to back (Fordland and Couch). The girls knew going into our match against Bakersfield that it would not be an easy tally in the win column,” said GHS Coach Heidi Gaulding. “We had a slow and sluggish start against Bakersfield, losing the first set 13-25. We couldn’t get a good read on the ball in serve receive against Bakersfield’s aggressive serving.
“If you can’t get a good pass up to start the volley then it is difficult to have an aggressive offensive approach. The girls started making adjustments and improving the passing game, which allowed us to have more control over our offense at the net.”
Gainesville won the second set 25-21, but Bakersfield came back and took the third set 25-18.
“Going into the fourth set, the focus was on playing with more intensity, trying to get a better read on the opponent and having a mindset to ‘just go’ for the ball,” Gaulding said.
The approach worked, and the Ganesville girls tied it up winning the fourth set 25-14. The Lady Bulldogs kept the momentum going and won the fifth set 15-9.
“The girls could have given up after being defeated so easily in the first set, but it made for an exciting night of volleyball to watch them fight back and get the win,” Gaulding said.
Leading the way for Gainesville was Addie Alms with 17 kills, two blocks, 18 digs and five service aces; Lilly Hejdak had 13 digs; and Macy Hambelton and Alli Garrison each had five kills.
Gainesville traveled to Chadwick Tuesday, Sept. 23 and will travel to Lutie on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Bakersfield heads to Big Springs Conference
After the Gainesville match, the Bakersfield Lady Lions hosted Koshkonong where the varsity swept the Lady Jays in three sets and JV took the win in two sets.
“We played really well last week and the girls had a great time learning from each match,” said Bakersfield Coach Suzanne Montague. “Gainesville is a worthy opponent. The fourth set in that match revealed some relationship issues that we needed to work out and showed our weakness with the mental side of the game. We are working hard in practice on both the physical skills and the mental skills of the game and improving every day! These girls are pumped for the Big Springs Tournament coming up this Thursday.”
The Big Springs Conference Tournament is being held at Winona. Bakersfield will take on Couch.