Lady Lions proved to much for Lady Bulldogs in senior volleyball match

Photo by Mike Eckels Gravette’s Hailee Gerner (4) and Allie Callahan (16) went head-to-head with Decatur’s Kaylee Morales (12) and Talor Thompson (8) over control of the ball during the third set of the Lady Lions-Lady Bulldogs senior volleyball match in the new gym at Gravette High School Sept. 7. The four players batted the ball back and fourth at least four times before Gravette hit it into the back court.
Photo by Mike Eckels Gravette’s Hailee Gerner (4) and Allie Callahan (16) went head-to-head with Decatur’s Kaylee Morales (12) and Talor Thompson (8) over control of the ball during the third set of the Lady Lions-Lady Bulldogs senior volleyball match in the new gym at Gravette High School Sept. 7. The four players batted the ball back and fourth at least four times before Gravette hit it into the back court.

GRAVETTE -- It came down to the team that made the fewest mistakes winning the match when the Decatur Lady Bulldogs traveled to Gravette to play the Lady Lions in a conference volleyball match in the new gym at Gravette High School Sept. 7.

The Lady Bulldogs took control of the match early, going on a 4-1 run that took the Lady Lions by surprise. But Gravette picked up the pace and began to fight back, forcing Decatur to make several mental errors before taking the first set, 25-7.

The Lady Bulldogs came alive in the second set by scoring the first three points. Decatur's lead was short-lived and the Lady Lions regained their composure and quickly built a commanding lead over a stunned Lady Bulldog team. Decatur would not give up the second set without a fight, making the Lady Lions work for every point and setting up a battle between both teams.

Throughout the remaining sets, Gravette's front row consisting of Hailee Gerner, Brianna Osborn, Lexi Gerner and Brooklyn Lykins, and Decatur's consisting of Talor Thompson, Desi Meek, Kaylee Morales and Desinty Meija, battled back and forth for points, which provided several exciting rallies. Fans on both sides of the court were kept on the edge of their seats to see who would come out victorious.

Ultimately, the simple technical mistakes and mental errors that haunted the Lady Bulldogs throughout the season resurfaced, giving the Lady Lions both remaining sets, 25-10 and 25-10, and the match.

The Lady Lions remain undefeated in conference play, winning three straight matches and having an overall record of 3-2.

The Gravette girls defeated West Fork Sept 5, on the road, in three straight sets, 25-15, 25-19 and 25-13.

Decatur has yet to win a conference match and currently holds a 1-5 overall record.

The Lady Lions will be on the road Sept. 12 as they travel to Elkins to take on the Lady Elkins in the gym at Elkins High School. They return to the new gym at Gravette High School Sept. 14 to take on the Lady Saints of Shiloh Christian. Game time for both matches is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs return home Sept. 12 when they take on the Lady Tigers of West Fork at Peterson Gym in Decatur. They will remain at home Sept. 14 to take on the Lady Tigers of Prairie Grove. Both matches begin at 4:30 with the junior varsity playing first.

In other Gravette-Decatur matches, the Decatur junior-high B team won its third straight match, defeating Gravette, 25-20 and 25-19. The Gravette junior-varsity team defeated Decatur, 25-13 and 25-9.

Sports on 09/13/2017