DECATUR -- It was Tiger Week at Peterson Gym in Decatur as the Lady Bulldogs hosted West Fork Sept. 12 and Prairie Grove Sept. 14 in volleyball. The junior high A team was able to pull off its fourth win of the season, but the senior team, while playing better than the week before, still fell in three straight sets in both contests.
In the West Fork-Decatur match, the Lady Bulldogs went on the offensive, gaining an early lead in the first set. Decatur led by as much as 15 points until the Lady Tigers began a run that brought them to a 23-23 tie. West Fork dropped two quick balls into the middle line of Decatur to take the set, 25-23.
Several long volleys kept the contest interesting during the second and third sets. But several concentration errors by the Lady Bulldogs gave West Fork the advantage and eventually both sets, 25-12, 25-19, and the match, 3-0.
The junior high A team won its fourth straight match, 2-1, while the junior high B team fell to West Fork, 2-0.
It was much the same for the Prairie Grove-Decatur senior match Sept. 14. The Lady Bulldogs would come out strong in each of the sets, but inconsistencies in the execution of the Lady Bulldogs' game plan eventually cost them the match, 3-0.
In each contest, the Lady Bulldogs were able to keep up with their rival, making several saves that sometimes caught opponents off guard and resulted in a Decatur point. On several occasions, Decatur sophomore Diana Reza intercepted the ball below the net and managed to send it back to the other side. This set up several rallies that brought the fans on both sides into the contest.
Both the junior high A and B teams lost to Prairie Grove, 3-0 and 2-0 respectively, in contests prior to the senior match.
The Lady Bulldogs will be on the road to take on the Lady Elks in Elkins Sept. 19 and at Shiloh Christian to take on the Lady Saints Sept. 21. Both contests are scheduled to begin with the junior high B matches at 4:30 p.m., followed by the junior high A and senior high matches.
Decatur will travel to Washburn, Mo., to play in the 34th Annual Southwest Volleyfest at Southwest High School in Washburn Sept. 23. The first Decatur contest starts with a match against the host team scheduled for 10:15 a.m. The Lady Bulldogs will also play Berryville at 11:35 a.m., followed by Wheaton at 1:30 p.m., and conclude with a match against Cassville at 2:50 p.m. Gentry will also take part in the event.
Sports on 09/20/2017