By Phil Major | Published Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Decatur Lady Eagles entered Friday's varsity volleyball match with Bridgeport unbeaten in district (2-0), state ranked seventh and heading into a stretch of four of five games on the road.
It was also a chance to win 30 games for the season.
"We came out in game one a little shaky with the rush of adrenaline and the pressure of the rivalry, but calmed down quickly to take game one," Lady Eagle Coach Claire Rose said.
But after securing the first game 25-17, Decatur breezed through the second 25-5 and took the match 25-10.
"We kept Bridgeport out-of-system the entire time only allowing one free ball in games two and three," Rose said. "We kept the offense fast, and we did a great job mixing it up. We served tough, passed well and didn't allow them many opportunities to get kills."
The loss set Bridgeport back to 1-2 in district play. The teams wrap up the first half Friday when Decatur hosts Iowa Park and Bridgeport goes to Burkburnett.
The Lady Eagles got more than half their points on 39 kills. Sara Oxford set the pace with 17. Ingrid Boatman, Fleming Smurthwaite and Kortney Tompkins each added five and Kortni Robinson four.
Also at net, Oxford blocked three shots, and Haley Dale, Annellise Carpenter and Smurthwaite each stopped a pair. Smurthwaite set up 31 assists and served four aces.
On the back row, Lynzee Jordan had seven digs, Smurthwaite six, Carmen Cash five and Oxford four of the team's 31.
Bridgeport's front line had 23 kills, with eight by Haley Meekins; four from Alicia Erwin; three apiece by Katie Cook, Becky Grinnell and Macey Robinson; and two from Jessica Hartsell. The Sissies managed to block only one shot, by Meekins.
Assists were by Lauren Richey, 8, and Jordyn Hulsey, 7. Hartsell dug out nine attempts; Hulsey five; Richey, Erwin and Lindsay Zachary three each; and Grinnell and Meekins two apiece. Cook had a dig and served one ace, and Zachary had an ace.
