Lady Bulldogs give Lady Pioneers run for their money

Photo by Mike Eckels Diana Reza knocked ball back to Lady Pioneer territory after Gentry’s Chastery Fuamatu (20) tried to spike it over Reza’s head during the Decatur-Gentry volleyball match at Peterson Gym in Decatur Sept. 26.
Photo by Mike Eckels Diana Reza knocked ball back to Lady Pioneer territory after Gentry’s Chastery Fuamatu (20) tried to spike it over Reza’s head during the Decatur-Gentry volleyball match at Peterson Gym in Decatur Sept. 26.

DECATUR -- After participating in the Southwest High School Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Washburn, Mo., the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Pioneers turned their attention to the last conference match between these teams in the 2017 regular volleyball season.

Gentry and Decatur met Sept. 26 at Peterson Gym in Decatur for what was an exciting night of volleyball.

In the first set, both Decatur and Gentry traded the lead several times in the early going. A series of simple concentration errors and misdirected hits by the Lady Bulldogs turned the set in favor of the Lady Pioneers, who took the win, 25-15. Both teams ramped up the intensity level, and a series of several long volleys brought Decatur and Gentry fans to their feet.

Decatur broke its long set losing streak, taking the second set, 25-18. The Lady Bulldogs continued to dominate the third set, taking a five-point advantage in the early going. Following a timeout by Gentry, the Lady Pioneers slowly regained the lead, eventually taking the set, 25-18. It was much the same in the fourth and final set as the Gentry Lady Pioneers won, 25-16, to take home a 3-1 conference victory.

The Lady Bulldogs Junior High team won its matches against Gentry, splitting two sets 22-25, 25-11 and sending the match into a tiebreaker. Decatur eventually took the set, 15 to 9, and the match, 2-1. This was the young team's second victory this season against Gentry.

The Lady Bulldog junior varsity team lost its match to Gentry, 25-9, 25-9.

Gentry lost to Elkins on Thursday, 3-1. Gentry took the first set, 25-21, but then lost the next three, 25-18, 25-11 and 25-16.

The Decatur volleyball team was to face the Lady Lions from Gravette at Peterson Gym in Decatur on Tuesday (after press time). The Lady Bulldogs also celebrated teacher-appreciation night between the junior varsity and varsity contests. The Lady Bulldogs will be on the road Oct. 5 to face the West Fork Lady Tigers in the new gym at West Fork High School. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.

Sports on 10/04/2017