Bauxite starts 2-0 on the year with competitive matches
WHITE HALL – After opening the season with a 3-0 sweep over Sheridan Monday, the Bauxite Lady Miners improved to 2-0 on the young season with a
3-1 win over the White Hall Lady Bulldogs in White Hall Tuesday. Though the Lady Miners swept Monday, they by no means dominated.
“Against Sheridan on Monday night, we swept by winning each set by two points,” Bauxite Coach Dave Carter said. “That match could’ve gone a full five sets. We could have lost those sets by two points each.”
It was a very competitive first two matches as the Lady Bulldogs won the first set of the night Tuesday, 26-24, but the Lady Miners fought back for 26-24, 25-22 and 25-22 victories.
“Those are highly competitive matches that we fought hard to win,” Carter said. “Coming out of White Hall with a victory and being 2-0 is a sweet feeling. A feeling I don’t take for granted because when things are that close, it doesn’t take more than a couple of mistakes to change the outcome.
“We were able to shore up a few things between games one and two. We also knew White Hall had a very tall front line with long reach, so our approach was to attack them in ways that would help keep the ball away from their middle hitter. Lexi (Bright), Lindsey (Cross), Haley (Howard) and Jaylin (Rhoades) didn’t shy away form her height or her power. They went right at her and were able to learn her tendencies, make a few adjustments and compete successfully.”
Carter was happy with the
Lady Miner front and back row, as well.
“I was pleased with how our defense adjusted to how White Hall was trying to score,” the coach said. “(Bryley) Bowman, (Victoria) Lockhart and Howard escalated their aggressiveness and just flat out covered the court getting touches on most every attack. We dug up some very hard hit and well-placed spikes. We didn’t get them all, but we got a lot.”
Against Sheridan
Monday, Cross led the way with 15 kills and two blocks, with Rhoades adding eight kills and Howard seven kills and three digs. Bowman had seven kills and two aces, adding a block, while Bright had six kills and an ace.
Bauxite’s two setters, freshman Taylor Shelton and sophomore Alyssa Hastings, had a good open
ing match with Shelton leading the way with 22 assists and four aces, and Hastings adding 15 assists. The duo played well against White Hall, too.
“Hastings and Shelton were again solid for us setting the ball up,” Carter said. “They're young but getting serious experience in a hurry. I expect that to continue and lead to steadily improved offensive play overall by everyone.”
Carter was just happy to get out of both competitive matches with wins. He credits the team's grit.
“This team has not gotten rattled yet this year even though they've been pushed hard,” he said. “Their maturity and tenacity keeps them in the game. The experience they possess helps them remain positive and focused. They have grown from hoping to win to expecting to compete and win. I'm proud of how they work together to achieve a greater goal.”