Lady Bulldogs headed to state

The Sundance volleyball team is headed to state after finishing third in the regional tournament held in Moorcroft this past weekend. The Lady Bulldogs fought back on Saturday, winning two crucial games to earn a spot in this weekend’s state tournament.

In the opening round of the 2A regional tournament, Sundance was up against the Southeast Cyclones. Behind the heavy hitting of Sherry Negaard, who was able to throw down 30 kills in the set, the Bulldogs were able to taking the victory in games one and two, 27-25 and 25-15.

However, after game two, the Cyclones began piecing together their offense and the Bulldogs were unable to keep the momentum going in their favor. Taking the next two wins, the Cyclones pushed the match to five games where they took the 13-15 victory and dropped the Bulldogs into the consolation bracket.

Round two of the tournament put the Bulldogs against the Lady Rams from Big Horn. This round was also pushed to five games, testing the Bulldogs’ fortitude.

After taking narrow victories in games one and two, the Bulldogs suffered three-point losses in games three and four, 21-25. Once again, the Bulldogs were able to step up in game five and walk away with the 15-13 victory.

Day two of the regional tournament pitted the Sundance Bulldogs against their intra-county rival, the Moorcroft Wolves. Playing on their home floor, the Wolves seemed to have the advantage in game one as the Bulldogs struggled to have an answer for the aggressive serving from Moorcroft.

After the Wolves scored seven unanswered points, the Bulldogs called a timeout, hoping to get something going. Unfortunately, it was too little too late and the Bulldogs fell in game one, 16-25.

A fire was lit in the Bulldogs after game one of the Moorcroft match as game two saw them jump out to a three-point lead and keep it throughout. Behind the serving of Bailee Heaster (five aces for the match) and hard hitting of Sherry Negaard, the Bulldogs were able to pull out a 25-16 victory.

Games three and four were a back and forth between the teams, showing off their defensive and offensive skills. #2 and #12 were the heavy hitters for Moorcroft, while Ty Holloman and Joleen Pollat came up with some big blocks for the Bulldogs.

Splitting these two games pushed this match into game five, each team knowing a win would put them one match closer to the state tournament and a loss would end their season.

Game five saw Moorcroft on the board first, 2-0, but Sundance determined to take the victory. With a back and forth of points, the Bulldogs were able to take the lead, 6-3. Following a Moorcroft timeout, the Bulldogs continued to dominate the floor and the Wolves did not have an answer for the blocking of Holloman and Pollat, nor the hitting of Negaard and Holloman. In the end, the Bulldogs walked away with the 15-8 victory.

With the victory over Moorcroft, Sundance needed one more win to advance to the state tournament. With a one-game rest, the Bulldogs still had their energy from the previous win and continued their winning ways. Behind the stellar serving of Aftyn Marchant and hard hitting of Negaard, the Bulldogs were able to easily defeat the Glenrock Herders in three games.

The Sundance Bulldogs will advance to the 2A state volleyball tournament in Casper this weekend. Sundance will play their first game at 3 p.m. against Tongue River at the Event Center.

Stats from the games:

SHS vs. Southeast: 27-25, 25-15, 17-25, 22-25, 13-15

Kills: Negaard 30, Holloman 8, Pollat 7, Br. Hofland 8, McInerney 6

Assists: McInerney 36, Marchant 18

Blocks: Holloman 2, T. Marchant 1

Digs: Heaster 27, A. Marchant 26, McInerney 20

Serves: A. Marchant 30/30 2 aces, Heaster 21/22 4 aces

SHS vs. Big Horn: 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 15-13

Kills: Negaard 20, Holloman 8, Pollat 7

Assists: McInerney 22, T. Marchant 15

Blocks: Holloman 6, Pollat 2, T. Marchant 2, McInerney 3, Br. Hofland 2

Digs: A. Marchant 19, T. Marchant 17, Heaster 17, McInerney 16

Serves: Negaard 25/25 1 ace, Johnson 17/17 2 aces, T. Marchant 18/19 2 aces, A. Marchant 16/17 1 ace, McInerney 10/11

SHS vs. Moorcroft: 16-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-18, 15-8

Kills: Negaard 20, Holloman 12, Br. Hofland 8, Pollat 5

Assists: McInerney 21, T. Marchant 19

Blocks: Holloman 6, Pollat 5, T. Marchant 4, McINerney 3, Negaard 3

Digs: A. Marchant 18, T. Marchant 11, McInerney 10, Gill 9, Heaster 9

Serves: Heaster 18/18 5 aces, A. Marchant 18/18 1 ace, Johnson 18/19 1 ace, Negaard 13/14 1 ace, McInerney 9/10

SHS vs. Glenrock 25-16, 25-19, 25-11

Kills: Negaard 21, Br. Hofland 7, Holloman 7

Assists: McInerney 22, T. Marchant 16

Blocks: Pollat 3, T. Marchant 2

Digs: A. Marchant 17, McInerney 8, T. Marchant 6, Heaster 6

Serves: A. Marchant 22/23 3 aces, McInerney 10/10, T. Marchant 10/10, Heaster 8/8 1 Ace, Johnson 9/10 1 ace