Lady Bulldogs win first district title

By Amanda Smallwood
UCA sportswriting

St. Joseph's Lady Bulldogs made history Tuesday night at the St. Joseph Family Activity Center by winning the school’s first 3A-Central district tournament title.

St. Joe demolished Conway Christian’s Lady Eagles, 25-13, 25-10, 25-16, to remain undefeated at 18-0 entering next week's Class 3A State Tournament as the league's No. 1 seed.

“It is good when one of our goals is accomplished,” St. Joseph coach Luke Davis said. “Now we have to stay focus and remember that our next goal is the state title.”

Both teams came out ready to play with the crowds chanting for their school.

In Game 1, the Lady Bulldogs started on a roll, keeping the Lady Eagles down by playing off their mistakes. Senior Veronica Bausom started with seven straight serves. The Lady Eagles started making many mistakes in the middle of the game with hits in the net and long outs. A hit in net by the Lady Eagles gave the win to St. Joseph, 25-13.

“We had to keep focused and not get a high head,” junior Amy Schichtl said. “We had to remember what our goal was and keep that in mind.”

Junior Katie Halter put down four hits. Schichtl accomplished three kills, one tip, one hit and dig. Sophomore Torri Carter had one ace and six straight serves.

In Game 2, Conway Christian started off strong, taking its first lead of the night. St. Joseph started to give away points by having various net violations and making careless mistakes. The play to get St. Joseph on the scoreboard was junior Jessica Justice having a strong hit after a long rally to give the Lady Bulldogs the energy to come from behind and take the lead. A close play in the game came when Schichtl's dig after a long rally let senior Katie Reinhard make a strong kill. St. Joseph picked up 14 digs to help them keep the lead.

Schichtl accomplished two kills, one tip, three hits and one assist. Bausom recorded two kills, one tip, seven hits, five digs and six straight serves. Junior Jordan Justice had one ace, four digs and 10 straight serves.

“We had a full game the night before and you could tell some of us were getting tired,” Reinhard said. “We had to remember this win could make history for our school.”

Game 3 started off with St. Joseph coming out strong, taking a 5-0 lead with light tips coming from Reinhard and Schichtl. Conway Christian made quick hard plays while St. Joseph tried to slow down the ball and play in open areas.

Reinhard had one ace, five hits, two kills, one dig and one block. Schichtl counted two aces, four kills, two tips, two hits and one dig. Jessica Justice accomplished one ace, one hit and 10 assists.

“This was one of our better games,” Davis said. “All the girls showed up today ready to play.”

Bausom said she was happy to be part of St. Joseph history.

“It was amazing to win this title," she said. “It really feels great with it being my last year at St. Joseph. There's not a better time to make it happen.”

Jessica Justice was named Most Valuable Player of the district tournament. Reinhard and Schichtl were also named to the all-tournament team.

“I’m very proud of the leadership Bausom and Reinhard showed tonight and the improving the girls accomplished this season,” Davis said.

For next week's state tournament, St. Joseph will be the No. 1 seed from 3A-Central and will face Alpena, the No. 4 seed from 3A-North, in the first round.

“Our goal is to not lose focus,” Davis said. “We have accomplished one goal and now we have to battle to win our final goal.”

Bausom agreed.

“As Coach Davis always tell us, play one game at a time,” she said. “This way we can accomplish our goal in mini steps.”