DECATUR -- It was a big day, a big deal and an even bigger send-off as members of the 2019 Decatur Lady Bulldog varsity volleyball team boarded their bus Oct. 29 for an early morning departure to the 2A state volleyball tournament in Yellville. But for Decatur volleyball fans, the day ended with a loss to the Cotter Lady Warriors in the first round of the tournament, ending the team's 2019 season.
Around 8:15 a.m., students lined the main hallway, out the front doors and down the sidewalk at Decatur High School for a grand send-off. While head coach Tajhe Turner and assistant coach Ladale Clayton waited at the bus, the 12 member team left the home economics room on the north side of the hallway and made its way through the gauntlet of fellow classmates.
Led by captain Destiny Mejia, the team emerged from the building to the sounds of the Decatur fight song performed by the high school band and cheers from classmates. Once on the bus, the team headed for Yellville. But just before leaving Decatur High School, the team stopped at Peterson Gym to pose for one final photo together. Then it was on the road for the team's second state tournament appearance in two years.
After arriving in Yellville two hours later, the team dressed out for a warmup period and readied itself for the task ahead. At stake for the Lady Bulldogs was either a win that propelled the team into the second round or the end of the season.
The match did not bode well for Decatur. A series of simple mistakes cost the Lady Bulldogs dearly as the Cotter Lady Warriors took the match in three sets 25-16, 25-16 and 25-17, ending the Lady Bulldogs 2019 season.
In spite of the losses in the district and state tournaments, the Decatur Lady Bulldog team posted one of its best seasons since it began in 2015. While the conference win-loss record was the same as 2018, 6-6, Decatur still posted 10 wins and 13 losses as opposed to the second-best season in 2018 with an overall record of 6-13.
For second-year coach Tahje Turner, the Decatur volleyball program has made great progress in its abilities and overall performance throughout the 2019 season. Through her junior high school program, the varsity team will see a few up-and-coming volleyball stars stepping up in 2020.
Sports on 11/06/2019