After building a significant lead in game one, the Quitman Lady Bulldogs could not close it out and fell to the Van Alstyne Lady Panthers  (23-25, 15-25, 14-25) in the area volleyball championship. The Lady Bulldogs seemed to have expended all their ordnance in game one, as Van Alstyne dominated games two and three. 

For the many fans who made the trip to Caddo Mills Thursday, the initial game of the match was spectacular action. Each team overcame early jitters. Quitman tied the score at 4-4 following consecutive kill shots by Ava Burroughs and Jentri Jackson. Jackson’s emphatic kill, as she came flying out of the backcourt, sent a message that this would be a battle.

The Lady Bulldogs maintained a three-point lead throughout most of game one and opened an 18-12 margin on a Burroughs’ block at the net. With a 20-15 lead, the Bulldogs looked poised for the game one win. The Lady Panthers regrouped and rattled off seven consecutive points to take a 22-20 advantage. 

The key sequence in game one was the point which tied the game at 20. In one of the longer volleys of the game, Quitman repeatedly blocked the Lady Panthers’ kill shots until yielding the point on the fourth attempt.  Van Alstyne’s tying score drained the energy from the Lady Bulldogs. It was the Lady Panthers’ activity which played in the final eight points. Van Alstyne prevailed 25-23. 

As the teams took the floor for game two, the Lady Bulldogs looked buoyed by the close game one but never got untracked in game two. Van Alstyne, however, shook off the dust of game one and rediscovered their offensive form. They forced Quitman into playing reactive volleyball. The Lady Bulldogs managed only four offensive points in the game to Van Alstyne’s 17.  The Lady Bulldogs fell in game two 15-25.

Both teams hit their offensive stride in game three. The score was tied early at 9-9. Van Alstyne prevailed on the strength of their stand-out performers Lindo Boling and Micah Welch. Both seniors had excellent matches and contributed aces in game three. The steady offensive pressure and almost faultless defense propelled the Lady Panthers to a clear 25-14 win in game three and an area championship.  

The Lady Bulldogs have an outstanding season to reflect upon. Quitman and Van Alstyne will undoubtedly remain area volleyball powerhouses.