DECATUR -- With the volleyball season at its halfway point, the Decatur Lady Bulldogs marked week four with another first-time meeting, this time with the Lavaca Lady Golden Arrows at Peterson Gym in Decatur Sept. 11. It became apparent early in the contest that the Lady Bulldogs were not into the match, as Decatur chalked up another defeat in straight sets.
The first set belonged to the Lady Golden Arrows. Decatur made several simple mistakes which escalated into major ones as the set progressed. Lavaca kept the pressure on Decatur as they dropped ball after ball into the Lady Bulldogs' weakest areas on the court and eventually took the set, 25-7.
After several changes in Decatur's game plan by coach Tajhe Turner before the beginning of set two, the Lady Bulldogs came off the bench a different and more energetic team throughout the set. As the battle for the set between the two teams became intense at times, several long volleys allowed the Lady Bulldogs to tie the set at 23 all. Two quick turnaround points by the Lady Bulldogs gave them set two, 25-23.
In the final two sets of the match, the Lady Bulldogs fell back into yet another slump which cost them both sets, 25-10, 25-12, and handed the Lavaca Lady Golden Arrows the match, three sets to one.
After losing to the Gentry Lady Pioneers Sept. 12, the Decatur Lady Bulldogs hit the road Sept. 13 to take on their old foe, the Eureka Springs Lady Highlanders, at Highlander Gym. The team was hoping to snap its two-game losing streak, which is exactly what Decatur did as they claimed the victory in straight sets, 3-0.
The Decatur Lady Bulldogs are now 4-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play going into the final half of the season. The Lady Bulldogs will be at home in Peterson Gym Sept. 25 to face the Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy Spartans. Matches start at 4 p.m. with the seventh grade, junior high and junior varsity contests. The varsity match will follow the conclusion of the JV contest.
Sports on 09/19/2018