Competition heats up for Lady Bulldogs

As the season begins to wind down, the competition begins to heat up. The Sundance volleyball team faced two conference rivals this weekend as they split their matches between the Tongue River Eagles and the Wright Panthers. 

The Lady Bulldogs added another win to their column on Friday afternoon as they defeated the Tongue River Eagles four games to one. Opening up play, the teams were evenly matched as they exchanged point for point, both looking for some momentum to build a lead.

It was the Bulldogs who found that momentum first, with Jaylin Mills and Zoe Skeens throwing down the kills at the net. The Eagles, however, pulled themselves together and were able to score seven unanswered points, taking away any gains the Bulldogs had made, and tying the score at 14.

Another point for point between the two teams and the score was tied at 18. The Bulldogs rallied after that and came out with the 25-20 victory in game one.

Sundance continued to carry the momentum into game two, taking an initial 3-0 lead over the Eagles. However, Tongue River was able to close the scoring gap and this time take the lead from the Bulldogs as they struggled to keep their hard hits inbounds. It was the Eagles who would take game two with a 25-21 win over the Lady Bulldogs.

A strong net presence made the game look easy for the Lady Bulldogs throughout game three. Freshman Jaylin Mills not only set up the hitters but was also able to throw down some heavy hits herself as the front row dominated the game three, giving Sundance a 25-19 victory.

The Lady Bulldogs had all the momentum going into game four where a string of serves by Mills, Skeens, Mazelynn Sharp and Rachelle Miller helped the Bulldogs to a 25-18 victory and the overall win for the afternoon.

With a conference win under their belts, the Lady Bulldogs traveled to Wright on Saturday, looking to add another to their record. Despite a slow start in game one, the Lady Bulldogs were able to rally throughout game two, forcing the Panthers to 29 points for a victory.

Game three was another close match as the Bulldogs put up 21 points to the Panthers 25. Despite the Bulldog's efforts, the Panthers took the overall conference win, sweeping the Bulldogs in three games.

McKaya Gillespie led the team at the net with nine kills for the night, followed closely by teammate Jaylin Mills who threw down seven. Aspen Jones helped to keep the ball in motion for the Bulldogs as she finished the night with 11 digs.

"It was a tough loss to Wright," Coach Blasczyk stated. "Although we lost, the girls fought hard the whole time and the sets were close."

The Lady Bulldogs will have their last home game of the regular season on Friday, as they host the Big Horn Rams. This matchup with be the pinkout game for the Lady Bulldogs. Play will begin at 1 p.m. with the C team followed by JV and then varsity.

SHS vs. Tongue River: 25-20,21-25, 25-20, 25-18

Jaylin Mills – 8 kills 17 assists 2 blocks 5 aces 2 digs

McKaya Gillespie – 3 kills 1 block 1 ace 4 digs

Lexie Marchant – 7 kills 4 blocks 1 dig

Zoe Skeens – 9 kills 1 block 1 ace 2 digs

Aspen Jones – 2 kills 1 ace 10 digs

Rachelle Miller – 4 assists 1 ace 3 digs

Sydney Penning – 2 kills 2 assists

Mazelynn Sharp – 2 aces 2 digs

SHS vs. Wright: 13-25, 27-29, 21-25

Jaylin Mills – 7 kills 16 assists 1 block 7 digs

McKaya Gillespie – 9 kills 9 digs

Zoe Skeens – 5 kills 1 block 5 digs

Lexie Marchant – 5 kills 2 blocks 3 digs

Aspen Jones – 2 kills 2 assists 1 ace 11 digs

Sydney Penning – 1 kill 2 assists 1 block 1 dig

Mazelynn Sharp – 1 ace 4 digs

Rachelle Miller – 3 assists 8 digs