Lady Bulldogs fall to visiting Lady Pioneers
DECATUR — After competing in the Southwest High School Invitational Volleyball Tournament in Washburn, Mo., the Decatur Lady Bulldogs and the Gentry Lady Pioneers turned their attention to the last conference match between the teams in the regular season.
Gentry and Decatur met Sept. 26 at Peterson Gym in Decatur.
In the first set, both Decatur and Gentry traded the lead several times in the early going. A series of simple concentration errors and misdirected hits by the Lady Bulldogs turned the set in favor of the Lady Pioneers, who took the win, 25-15. Both teams ramped up the intensity level, and a series of several long volleys brought Decatur and Gentry fans to their feet.
Decatur broke its long set losing streak, taking the second set, 25-18. The Lady Bulldogs continued to dominate the third set, taking a five-point advantage early. Following a timeout by Gentry, the Lady Pioneers slowly regained the lead, eventually taking the set, 25-18. It was much the same in the fourth and final set as Gentry won, 25-16, to take a 3-1 conference victory.
The Lady Bulldogs Junior High team won its matches against Gentry, splitting two sets 22-25, 25-11 and sending the match into a tiebreaker. Decatur eventually took the set, 15-9, and the match, 2-1. It was the team’s second win this season against Gentry.
The Lady Bulldog junior varsity team lost its match to Gentry, 25-9, 25-9.
Gentry lost to Elkins on Thursday, 3-1. Gentry took the first set, 25-21, but then lost the next three, 25-18, 25-11 and 25-16.
Decatur was to face the Lady Lions of Gravette at Peterson Gym in Decatur on Tuesday (after press time). The Lady Bulldogs also celebrated teacher-appreciation night between the junior varsity and varsity contests. The Lady Bulldogs will be on the road Thursday to face the West Fork Lady Tigers in the new gym at West Fork High School. Both contests are set to begin at 4:30 p.m.