Lady Bulldogs get into state 2A volleyball tournament with win over Lady Highlanders
HACKETT — It was crunch time for the Decatur Lady Bulldogs Oct. 21 when the team traveled to Hackett to participate in the 2019 2A West district tournament at Hackett High School. On the line was a chance to play in the state 2A tournament in Yellville-Summit Oct. 29. But first, the Lady Bulldogs had to defeat the Lady Highlanders from Eureka Springs, a team Decatur beat twice during the regular season.
Decatur got off to a rough start in the first set when the Lady Highlanders jumped out in front and eventually took the set, 25-17. Decatur and Eureka Springs were both on their A-games as the two teams battled back and forth with several long volleys during sets two and three. But the Lady Bulldogs prevailed in both, taking set two, 25-23, and set three, 25-21.
As suddenly as the Lady Bulldogs found their focus, they lost it again and the Lady Highlanders tied the match, 2-2, when they took the fourth set, 25-12.
The race for a state tournament berth for either team hinged on the tiebreaker. Decatur regained its focus once again was able to take the final set, 15-9, and the state playoff berth over Eureka Springs Lady Highlanders, three sets to two.
Barely 24 hours had passed on Decatur’s victory when the team was back on the court at Hackett
High School for the second round of the 2A West tournament. Decatur faced the Hackett Lady Hornets, who had the home-court advantage. Decatur had yet to defeat the Lady Hornets this season.
From the opening serve, the Lady Hornets hammered the Lady Bulldogs, dropping ball after ball into Decatur territory for point after point. Set one and two ended the same, with Hackett claiming the victory, 25-7.
The Lady Bulldogs opened the third set, leading by a slim two-point margin. But, it was not long before Hackett came back and regained the lead and continued to build on the lead until Decatur team captain Destiny Mejia stepped up to serve after teammate Kyleigh McBride dumped the ball past two Hackett players for the point. Mejia managed to drop several serves past the Lady Hornets.
But then a timeout by the Hackett coach switched the momentum of the contest in her favor and the Lady Hornets surged ahead of Decatur once again.
The Hackett Lady Hornets defeated the Decatur Lady Bulldogs, 25-16, to win in straight sets.
Decatur finished in fourth place in the 2A West district tournament, advancing into the state playoffs.
Currently, the Lady Bulldogs are ranked number 12 in the 2A top 25 teams with the Hackett Hornets holding the number one position.