Lady Bulldogs end season with loss to Fredericksburg
The Bandera Lady Bulldogs fell to Fredericksburg during their playoff duel in Boerne on Friday, October 29. Bandera brought its best game to the challenge but could not overcome the Billies staying power.
During the first game of the match, the Billies put together a 9-point run and then increased their lead to 14 points to Bandera’s 4. The play between the two teams was grueling as each side fought for their points. Shaely Rogers had a power spike to put the Billies on notice that the Lady Bulldogs had come to play. Maci Morrison used all her skill to spike the ball into the Billies’ mid court. Taylor Hamilton showed excellent play as she made a power spike into Billies territory. The Lady Bulldogs could not overcome Fredericksburg’s lead quickly enough to prevail. Fredericksburg won the game 25 to Bandera’s 17.
Sophomore Abby Prater came off the bench during game 2 to take over the setting duties. She made an outstanding showing rising to the challenge in a hard-fought game against an older team. Jetta Martinez came up with a hard spike to earn the Lady Bulldogs a point while instituting a possession take over. Bandera led 7 to Fredericksburg’s 4. Shaely Rogers again came to the net to show the Billies her power spike. The game heated up with each team giving 100% to their efforts. Summer Haby came to the service line with her cool and served up two unanswered serves to the Billies. Martinez and Morrison created a solid wall at the net with double time blocks and saves. At the midpoint of the game, the Bulldogs and Billies were tied at 14 to 14. Fredericksburg pulled ahead 16 to Bandera’s 14. Both sides battled for the win with Fredericksburg coming out ahead 25 to Bandera’s 22.
The third game of the match showed both teams at their grittiest. The Lady Bulldogs played with their heart out giving more than they had ever given. The grim determination was evident on all their faces. A tip by Taylor Hamilton kept the ball in play and caused a change of possession for the Billies. The Lady Bulldogs fought at the net to block Fredericksburg’s’ plays. With Quinlynn Taylor’s power spike and Jayla Blake’s block at the net, the Bulldogs led the game 16 to 15. The game was one of the most exciting this year as each team vied back and forth for the win. The teams traded point for point. In the end, the Lady Bulldogs were not able to push the Billies into errors. The Billies won 25 to Bandera’s 22.
Coach Sananda Molina described the season: “We had lots of ups and downs, but we were always fighters. We fought to take some sets off of the best teams in the state and we fought when we lost our senior outside defensive specialist. We will continue to fight.”