Bulldog Emma Barnum goes high on a kill shot Thursday evening against Calvary Chapel. The Lions shut down the Dawgs 3-0. Photo by Lou Martin

Bulldog Emma Barnum goes high on a kill shot Thursday evening against Calvary Chapel. The Lions shut down the Dawgs 3-0. Photo by Lou Martin

The Virgin Valley High School Lady Bulldog volleyball team could not get it together Thursday night losing three straight matches to Calvary Chapel High School. The Lions a small Division 111 school dominated the host Bulldogs 25-17, 25-14 and 25-15.

The first game of the evening was the most competitive as the Lady Dawgs stayed with the Lions throughout most of the match and only trailed by six 21-15. The Lions took advantage of unforced Bulldog errors to win easily 25-17. The Lions had seven kills and four aces to the Bulldogs five kills and one ace by senior Jasmine Pulver. The Dawgs also had four service errors.

The Dawgs fell behind early, trailing 17-7 as service errors and good net play by the Lions kept the Dawgs at bay. A strong block by Bulldog sophomore Emma Barnum was the highlight of the first half of the match. Bulldog Dylan Bryant made a huge dig to highlight the second half of play for the Dawgs as the Bulldogs lost 25-14. The Lions again dominated service with six aces and three big kills.

The Bulldogs came out with a more aggressive style of play to begin the third match of the night and stayed with the Lions trailing by only two points 6-8. Barnum and Bernice Fiso had two big kills to lead the Dawgs. The Dawgs were outscored 17-9 the rest of the match as the Lions front line play would not allow a Bulldog rally to develop. The final score found the Dawgs on the short side of a 25-15 game.

“I felt we could have played better,” said Bulldog coach Lori Barnum. “We need someone to step up and take over. It was a good home opener overall including a great crowd. A little time and patience with gained experience should make things easier going forward.”

The loss dropped the Dawgs seasonal record to 4-6. Their next match will be at Sunrise Mountain on September 11 before returning home to face Chaparral on September 15.