Bulldogs Kaydee Bingham and Lexi Thompson go high on an attempted kill by the Eagles. Thompson had 7 kills for the Dawgs. Photo by Lou Martin.

Bulldogs Kaydee Bingham and Lexi Thompson go high on an attempted kill by the Eagles. Thompson had 7 kills for the Dawgs. Photo by Lou Martin.

The Virgin Valley High School Lady Bulldogs faced the undefeated and confident Boulder City High School Eagles Tuesday night in the Kirk Brotherson Gymnasium. The Eagles, with a 10-0 1-A Sunrise League record, had a swagger about them as they warmed up prior to the match. Who would have thought when the night was over the Dawgs would prevail 3-2 despite losing the first two games by identical 25-20 scores?

The Eagles jumped out to a 4-12 lead in the first game before the Dawgs, feeding off a home crowd, tied the match 16-16. A block, kill, dink and two aces by the Eagles finished off the Dawgs 25-20.

The second game of the night was much more competitive despite the identical 25-20 win for the Eagles. The lead changed 10 times, the last being 20-20, before the Eagles won 25-20. Bulldog Bernice Fiso had three kills for the Dawgs.

Facing elimination in the third game, Coach Lori Barnum’s squad came out with more energy and took it to the Eagles, jumping out to a 4-3 which they never relinquished. The Dawgs led 19-13 before finishing with a 25-18 win. Mikayla Brotherson and Fiso ended the scoring with two huge kills which brought a huge roar from the home crowd.

The momentum continued for the Dawgs as they battled seven lead changes early before taking a 14-9 advantage. The proud Eagle would not quick as they battled back to tie the game at 15-15. A big block by Emma Barnum got the Dawgs rolling again. Fiso had two kills which stopped the Eagle rally and the Dawgs won out 25-20 to tie the match at 2-2. Fiso had six kills for the Dawgs.

The fifth and final game of the night was a slugfest as the teams traded five lead changes until the Eagles had match point on the Dawgs 14-12. The Dawgs held and scored the last three points to win 16-14. The win gave the Dawgs a 9-2 record while the Eagles hold first place with a 10-1 league record. Bernice Fiso had 16 kills for the match, Lexi Thompson had seven kills and 12 digs followed by Janella Fiso with 6 aces and 31 assists to lead the Dawgs. “I feel we are really coming together,” said Coach Barnum after the match. “As a team we seem to keep getting better. At the beginning of the season we would have folded under the pressure but now they are reaching their potential. It is fun to watch.”

The Lady Bulldogs travel Thursday to face Del Sol and Desert Pines Monday, October 27, before returning home for their final regular season match against TECH on Wednesday, October 29.