It may have taken five games, but the Quitman Lady Bulldogs used a 15-9 fifth game to finally subdue Lone Oak in Friday’s District 12-3A volleyball opener.

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the first two games winning the first 25-9 and the second 25-12. Lone Oak came back in the next two games for a 28-26 win followed by a 25-12 win in the fourth.

The determined Lady Bulldogs came out gunning in the final game, breaking it open midway through. With Quitman holding on to an 8-6 edge, great net play from Ava Burroughs, Julia Simpkins and Maddy Whitehurst took over. The Lady Bulldogs went on a 7-3 run to end the game at 15-9. 

“I thought the girls played very well in the first two sets. We had some trouble in games three and four,” Coach Ashlee Lingo said. “Then they came out in game five ready to put the game away. They are a lot of fun to watch when they are having fun!”

Shelby Hayes continued her solid work with key assists throughout the match while Jentri Jackson’s strong kills and hustling digs made a difference. Lucy Brannon had an all around fine performance on offense and defense. Savannah Breding also added a defensive presence coming in with eight digs as did Lindsey Hornaday who added 13 digs.

Hayes had 34 assists on the night adding 12 digs and three aces with Jackson hitting on 10 kills, nine digs and two aces. Other stats included Burroughs with 13 kills and four blocks; Whitehurst seven kills, four aces and two blocks; Brannon 12 digs, six kills and an ace; and Simpkins a solid 10 digs, five kills and four aces.

The Lady Bulldogs are at 1-0 in district play and have an 11-19 season slate.

After a Tuesday night game at home against a good Grand Saline team, the Lady Bulldogs travel to Emory to take on Rains at 4:30 p.m. Friday.