By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, November 13, 2008
It was just two weeks ago that the Bridgeport High School volleyball team had to beat Burkburnett to secure the third and final playoff spot. The senior-dominated squad was just saving its best for last.
The Sissies made the playoffs for the first time in school history and then followed that up by shocking China Springs in the area championships. The run, however, came to a nail-biting finish Monday night in a five-game loss to Fredericksburg.
After winning the first two games against the Billies and just one win away from advancing to the regional tournament, Bridgeport's run stalled. In fact, Fredericksburg won the next two games to tie the match and then rallied from behind in the finale to beat the Sissies 26-28, 18-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-13.
The season came down to just a few points, and it was points the Billies collected in crunch time. Bridgeport led the fifth and deciding game 13-11 before Fredericksburg tied the game for a sixth game and pulled in front for the win.
"It's always hard to lose our last game, and I know that it's all over, but these girls played so hard. I am very proud of them for that," BHS coach L ynn Larson said. "They can look back on this season and be very proud for making history for Bridgeport volleyball."
The loss ended the banner year for BHS with a 23-17 overall mark, the most wins in school history. Fredericksburg will advance to the Class 3A, Region I tournament this weekend in Lubbock.
The Billies, who beat up on Iowa Park last week, had lots of trouble getting past Bridgeport. Senior Janie Foreman had a lot to do with it as she slammed a match-high 27 kills into the FHS defense.
Jessica Hartsell helped balance the offensive attack with 10 kills of her own, two more than Haley Meekins with eight. Setter Shannon Demmitt, who was coming off a career-high 47 assists against China Springs, racked up 42 more against the Billies.
Defensively, the Sissies gave the tall Fredericksburg squad plenty of problems. The biggest thorn in the side was Hartsell, who consistently dug shots out of the back row. She finished with a career-high 20 digs.
Kim Bible got defensive, as well, as she scattered 11 digs, while Bailey Jones had 10. Foreman was also solid at the net where she stuffed five attacks.
