On Tuesday, the Quitman Lady Bulldogs moved their District 12-3A record to 4-0 and the season record to 18-10 defeating Wood County rival Alba-Golden 26-24, 25-17, 25-20 at Delbert Ballard Memorial gymnasium.

A large crowd witnessed the two rivals play with hustle and intensity.

The Lady Panthers led early by as much as 7-3, but a Maddi Whitehurst kill tied contest at 11-11 and an ace serve by Lindsey Hornaday gave Quitman their first lead at 12-11 in the opening set.

The rest of the set found neither team gaining more than a two point advantage until the final tally of 26-24 with Quitman leading. The Lady Panthers had come back to take a 24-23 lead, but Quitman tied it up at 24-24 when outside hitter Madalyn Spears sent a scorching kill down the left sideline to give the Lady Bulldogs a 25-24 advantage. On the next play, the Lady Panthers were unable to get a Quitman shot back over the net and the lady Bulldogs had the close 26-24 win.

In game two, Quitman took and early 5-4 lead which they would not give up the rest of the way. Quitman freshman Ava Burroughs had three solid kills and setter Shelby Hayes had a nice tip over Alba-Golden’s middle blockers to give Quitman an 18-12 lead. Back to back kills by Jentri Jackson put the Quitman lead at 23-17 and a perfectly placed tip by Julia Simpkins gave Quitman a 25-17 second game win. Quitman roared back in the third game for a 25-20 win.

In the Alba-Golden win Spears had 18 digs, 14 kills, one ace while Jackson added eight digs, seven kills, two aces, one block; Hayes six digs, two kills, 27 assists; Whitehurst one dig, five kills, one ace; and Hornaday 9 digs, 3 aces.

In a battle of unbeatens Friday, Quitman fell to Edgewood 21-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-25. The loss drops Quitman to 4-1 while Edgewood goes to 5-0. After losing the first game, Quitman fought back with a great effort in the second game of the match. Quitman’s biggest lead in game two was 13-7, but Edgewood fought back to take a 20-18 lead. Good play at the net by middle blocker Burroughs brought Quitman back to a 21-20 lead. A kill by Jackson made it 23-21 and Quitman finished it off winning 25-23.

Edgewood came back in the final two sets of the match to win 25-18 and 25-15 behind strong play from their outside hitters and good defense.

Alba-Golden is at home twice this week. After a Tuesday game against Grand Saline the Lady Panthers host neighboring Rains Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Quitman plays at Mineola Tuesday and has a bye Friday night before beginning the second round of district action at home against Lone Oak Tuesday, Oct. 2.

-BY LARRY TUCKER