DECATUR -- The Decatur volleyball program reached a milestone Aug. 25 when the team won its first volleyball game against an aggressive Lincoln team in Peterson Gym.
The program started in January when two students, Mailee Xiong and Shaney Lee, approached Jessica Hartman and Jessi Castagna with the idea of starting a volleyball team at Decatur High School. The Decatur sports' program never included a volleyball team before and this would be new unexplored territory for the Decatur athletic program. It would take the dedication of both students and teachers to work through the challenges of putting this kind of program together. It took mounds of paperwork, buying the right equipment and a sport camp before the program came together.
Diligence paid off for the first-time Decatur volleyball team as the girls took to the court in Peterson Gym to play Pea Ridge on Aug. 24.
Decatur got off to a very good start, commanding an early lead against Pea Ridge. However, the Lady Blackhawks mounted a quick rally and regained control. The first set went to Pea Ridge 25 to 21. The next set was a repeat of the first as the Bulldogs gained an early lead but lost it in a series of mistakes, giving the set to the Blackhawks, 25 to 20. In the third and final set of the best-of-five series, Pea Ridge overpowered Decatur to take the set, 25 to 14, and the game.
This loss was more of a win for Decatur. The girls gained a much-needed boost of confidence which carried over in play against their next opponent, the 4A Lincoln Lady Wolves.
The Lincoln girls came out strong, taking the first set of the game, 25 to 14. But the momentum turned in Decatur's favor as they rallied to a 24 to 18 lead. Suddenly, the Bulldogs were in a position to win their first set. Tension mounted and the fans went silent. The players and coaches held one finger in the air, indicating one more point to victory. A miss by a Lincoln player gave Decatur the second set, 25 to 18. Peterson Gym erupted with joyous sounds from the team and fans alike as they celebrated this first win.
In the third set, Lincoln overpowered Decatur to take a 25 to 16 victory, sending the game into a fourth set in the series.
When the Bulldogs took the court for the fourth set, they took the court determined to win. And win they did, defeating Lincoln, 25 to 13, giving Decatur its second taste of victory and sending the game into a tie breaker.
It was a hard-fought set for both teams as the lead went back a forth. Decatur, however, pulled out in front and never looked back as they won the fifth and final set, 15 to 10, and their first game.
This could well be a turning point for not just the volleyball team but the entire girls' athletic program in Decatur. Seven of the 22 players also participate in both basketball and softball. This taste of success could drive those programs to successful seasons in 2015-16 as well.
Sports on 09/02/2015