Unbeaten Lady Bulldogs secure state berth

By Demetrice Elmore
UCA sportswriting

St. Joseph remained undefeated and ensured a berth in the Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament after a 25-20, 25-13, 25-14 win over Nemo Vista in the 3A-Central District Tournament semifinals at the St. Joseph Family Activity Center.

The Lady Bulldogs will face the winner of the other semifinal between Cave City and Conway Christian tonight at St. Joseph for the district championship and the No. 1 seed to the state tournament Oct. 27-30.

“Tonight was a big win,” Lady Bulldogs coach Luke Davis said. “We have a chance to start a good tradition here with the volleyball program. A district win will be huge and possibly get more girls to come out and play volleyball.”

The match was an excellent display of pure athleticism, involving long volleys and strong defensive stances from both sides of the court. The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Red Hawks were poised and ready to play. The energy from both teams was well received from the crowd.

In Game 1, junior Amy Schichtl found the open spots in Nemo Vista's lineup and recorded key points for the Lady Bulldogs early. Nemo Vista kept the score very tight throughout the game. Schictl scored two points back to back with the score at 13-10 before the Lady Bulldogs began to go hard at the Lady Red Hawks, never easing off them and ending the game strong.

Senior captain Veronica Bausom and sophomore Courtney Briggler recorded six hits. Junior Katie Halter added five. Bausom also contributed six digs in the game.

Game 2 was all about the Lady Bulldogs, who were strong from the beginning. The Lady Red Hawks played competitively in the beginning, but with the score 20-10, the Lady Red Hawks begin to rest on defense and the Lady Bulldogs took advantage of their failures. The Lady Red Hawks begin to play sloppily and they served in the net several times throughout the night.

Game 2 key players were Bausom again with 10 hits and Schichtl contributing with seven points. Junior Jordan Justice had an impressive night with 10 digs in Game 2, 19 for the match.

“We were very excited," Bausom said. “We have been waiting on the district tournament all season and we can’t wait to get to the championship game.”

Add Schichtl: “We have to take care of business tomorrow and stay consistent and down and ready to play.”

The Lady Bulldogs began the season with the goal of winning a district title and starting a tradition.

“We had to take it one game at a time and tomorrow, we will do the same,” Davis said. “We only have one more match, and we have to complete the games strong from start to finish to win.”