The Quitman Lady Bulldogs chalked up their second district win last Tuesday, handling the Malakoff Lady Tigers in straight sets 25-20, 25-22, 25-21.

The Lady Bulldogs played the whole match with steely self-confidence. At no time was this more evident than late in the third set. 

Quitman led 20-11 on the strength of three Kinsey Hipp kills, four scores by Allie Berry and consistent, well-positioned defense. A match win was in sight.

Malakoff decided to rally. They rattled off seven points and closed the score to 21-18.  There was no panic on the Lady Bulldogs’ side, no time out taken.

Quitman’s even-keeled mindset and structured play was no different when leading by nine as when the lead was under threat. The mental discipline demonstrated was the most noteworthy aspect of the win. 

What makes that mental discipline even more impressive is that Quitman made plenty of errors, miss hits and service errors. Nothing shook the team. At the most critical moment of the third set, players on the bench were pleading to get back in the game.     

Quitman took the match by stemming that Malakoff rally and leveraging a critical push shot by Kaylin Sapp. Sapp took the service turn and produced points with two excellent offerings. The match went to Quitman. 

The first two sets took similar paths. Quitman stepped out to the early lead, and each set was tied at the mid-set and close at the end. 

The first set was tied at 20. The Lady Bulldogs finished the set with an Autumn Cason kill, a kill by Annabella Popek, an assist from the rafters at Ballard Gymnasium and two aces from Sapp.

In the second set, Malakoff fought back to tie the set at 21 before two Quitman kills and some great quick-handed defense secured the win.

The next chance to see the Lady Bulldogs at home will be Tuesday Oct. 15 as they host Edgewood.

For those who haven’t had the chance to see the renovations which have transformed Ballard Gymnasium, it is worth the trip.