Dayton Spikes Patriots

DAYTON-The Dayton Lady Bulldogs improved its league record to 3-1 Tuesday night with a victory over the Liberty Christian Patriots.

The Bulldogs cruised to a 25-9 victory over the Patriots in game one and was given a run for its money in game two.

The Patriots were first to score, but the Bulldogs jumped to a 9-4 lead with a serving ace from Chelsea Wooldridge and failed attack attempts from the Patriots.

The Bulldogs unfortunately got too comfortable in their shoes, letting balls drop and missing attacks and the Patriots were soon within reach of the lead, 16-14.

A Patriot kill and three missed attacks from the Bulldogs, gave the Patriots the lead, 18-17.

Bulldog McKayla Bickelhaupt sent two tips into the Patriot court that they couldn't dig up, but the bulldogs missed an attack attempt and the game was tied at 19 all, causing a Patriot time out.

The Bulldogs Chelsea Wooldridge who went 12/13 from the line with three aces missed her only serve of the night after the Patriots time out and a Patriot missed attack would have the game tied once again.

Failed attack attempts from the Patriots and a kill from Bulldog Shelby Smith would give the Bulldogs the points they needed for a 25- 21 game two win.

The Bulldogs quickly jumped to a 5-1 lead to start off the third game. A double hit call, a failed attack attempt, and two dropped balls from the Bulldogs tied up the game, 5 all.

Bulldog Shelby Smith would deliver two kills to the Patriots combined with Bickelhaupt's own two kills and two serving aces would secure a Bulldog victory, 15-7.

"Last year we went head to head with Liberty Christian for the District Championship," said Bulldog head coach Shannon Turner. "This year, they are a young team and our girls play at a different pace than they do."

"Our girls were caught not playing their game at times at that almost cost us game two," said Turner. "We've just got to keep playing our game regardless of what the competition brings."

Bulldogs Nicole Lambert and Jessica Tate each had 100 percent serving percentages with 15 digs a piece. Bickelhaupt led the Bulldogs with 10 kills and five aces with Shelby Smith adding six kills. Darci Hall sent 12 assists to the Bulldog attackers while Courtney Mings led the defense with 11 digs.

In other volleyball action, the Bulldogs defeated Walla Walla Valley Academy last Thursday and competed in an eigh- team tournament in Athena Saturday, where they finished second in their pool before losing out in a semi-final game to Weston McEwen.

The Bulldogs will play in another tournament Saturday, Sept. 24 in Clarkston and resume league play Sept. 27 at Desales at 5p.m.