Lady Bulldogs remain unbeaten with win over Cavewomen

By Amanda Smallwood
UCA sportswriting

St. Joseph defeated Cave City in 3A-Central Conference volleyball match of unbeatens Wednesday, 25-9,25-15, 25-16.

Cave City defeated St. Joseph at the district final last year, putting the Lady Bulldogs in the Class 3A State Tournament as a No. 2 seed.

“I am very proud that we won against Cave City,” sophomore Courtney Briggler said. “They were the only other team in 3-A Central that was undefeated.”

In Game 1, St. Joseph junior Jessica Justice served eight consecutive points, giving the Lady Bulldogs an 8-0 lead. With St. Joseph servers achieving many aces St. Joseph kept the lead. Senior Veronica Bausom ended the game with an ace, 25-9.

“Tonight the team's best element would be the offense," St. Joe coach Luke Davis said. "They were making their sets and following through with their hits.”

Bausom led the game with four aces; Jessica Justice served three. Junior Jordan Justice accomplished the only dig of the first game. Amy Schichtl recorded two kills, one hit and the only block for the team.

“After winning the first game we had to focus and not get a big head,” sophomore Torri Carter said.

In Game 2, St. Joseph started off with the lead but Cave City was close behind. The lead started to grow more and more as Cave City continued to hit the ball out. Once again St. Joseph was faced with playing off of free balls; however, Jessica Justice was ready with six assists.

Junior Katie Halter put down five hits while Briggler had five hits and one block. Schichtl also accomplished five kills, two hits and one block.

“Since the team has been working on communication we also have learned a lot about keeping team spirit,” Carter said. “And tonight we proved it.”

In Game 3, Cave City took the lead for the first time of the evening, 4-2. A dig from Carter changed the rhythm of the game, and St. Joseph tied it, 9-9. The Lady Bulldogs kept the lead with two aces from Jordan Justice, 24-16. The last hit of the game brought on a rally until Jessica Justice ended the game with a light tip, 25-16.

Jordan Justice finished the game with six digs and one ace. Schichtl accomplished one ace, three kills, two hits and one block.

Davis said the Lady Bulldogs had progressed since the season started, improving on elements that they've done in the game before.

Added Carter: “Over the season the team has learned more about each other's playing ability as well as our own.”

St. Joseph's next game will be against Conway Christian.

"A lot of people are hyping up the game and trying to make us rivals," Davis said. "This will be the last conference game and the team just wants to win."