Lady Bulldogs move to state semifinals

By Amanda Smallwood
UCA sportswriting

St. Joseph’s Lady Bulldogs defeated Harrisburg’s Lady Hornets on Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of the Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at the Harrison Youth Center.

St. Joseph (22-0) won, 23-25, 23-25, 25-10, 25-18, 16-14, and was to face Lavaca, the defending state champion and second seed from the Northwest, at 1 p.m. Thursday. The winner will advance to the state championship match at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center at Arkansas State University.

After falling by two points in each of the first two games, the Lady Bulldogs demolished Harrisburg in Game 3, 25-10, and kept up the winning streak.

“We did not play our best on the first two games," St. Joseph coach Luke Davis said. "We let it slip through our fingers and dug a hole for ourselves. In the beginning of the third game, the girls showed a lot of heart by taking the lead and never looking back.”

Junior Jordan Justice served four aces and had 22 digs while senior Veronica Bausom had three aces and 19 digs. Junior Amy Schichtl led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 kills. Sophomore Courtney Briggler put down eight kills and three blocks. Junior Jessica Justice delivered 30 assists.

“We did not get to watch Lavaca play in this tournament but we know we will have a lot of hard work ahead of us and hopefully play better than we did (Wednesday)," Davis said.

He said his young players were learning a lot from their state tournament experience.

“We are seeing a lot of experience players,” Davis said. "Hopefully the girls are enjoying it and will want to do well and come back next season.”

Lavaca has beaten Cave City and Green Forest, the host team, to reach the semifinals. The other half of the bracket will feature Union Christian against Crowley's Ridge Academy at 3 p.m. with the winner to advance to the state final.