Lady Bulldogs beat Yuma, fall to Sedgwick County in triangular

Five games into the regular season and volleyball action is in full swing with a Season C, jam-packed schedule. The Lady Bulldogs hosted Yuma and Sedgwick County in a triangle event at home last Thursday and traveled to Otis early this week. The team has eight regular season games left on the schedule, all slated to take place over the next two weeks. The final regular season match up is scheduled for April 23 with post season action to follow.

Thursday's action kicked off with the Lady Bulldogs on their home court in a contest with the Yuma Lady Indians. Haxtun cruised to a two-set advantage taking sets one and two, both 25-18. The Lady Indians took the third, 25-22, to keep the contest alive but a tight, close battle throughout the fourth eventually went to the Lady Bulldogs, 26-24, giving the home team the win.

According to stats provided on Maxpreps, junior Allie Thompson led her team in kills with 15 throughout the four-set victory. Junior Taylor Schram and freshman Megan Walker each added 12. Freshman Cassidy Goddard registered three blocks, the team high, followed by Thompson, Schram and Ella Coffin, each with one.

In a stellar serving performance, five Lady Bulldog earned a 100-percent service rating against Yuma including Thompson, Schram, Kylee Workman, Goddard and Coffin. Workman and Walker each registered two aces throughout the performance.

In the back row, Coffin led the Lady Bulldogs in digs with 21. Schram added 18 followed by Goddard with 11. On serve receive, Coffin led her team, this time with 28 passes. K'lyn Bornhoft passed 23 balls followed by Schram with 11.

Schram also added 30 assists in the four-set victory.

In their second outing last Thursday, Haxtun faced off with the Lady Cougars from Sedgwick County for the second time this season. In the first meeting, the two teams went to five sets and the second turned out the same. Sedgwick County took a commanding 25-11 win in the first set but Haxtun bounced back quickly for a 25-20 win to even things out. The third set went to the Lady Cougars, 26-24, but Haxtun battled for a 27-25 fourth-set win. In the fifth and final, Sedgwick County took a three-point win to take the victory.

For the second contest in a row, Thompson led in kills, this time with 11. Schram put down 10 kills and Goddard added seven. At the net, Goddard registered 14 blocks, Thompson had six and Schram tallied five.

Schram served 100 percent in her the second consecutive contest. Thompson and Goddard each added one serving ace.

Thompson added 18 assists while Schram put up 14 for a total of 32 against Sedgwick County.

On defense, Schram dug up 28 balls. Bornhoft dug up 21 followed by Thompson with 19 and Coffin with 18. In the back row on serve receive, Bornhoft led the Lady Bulldogs with 24 passes. Cofin added 21 passes on serve receive followed by Thompson with 18.

"I was happy with the way our girls played Thursday," Head Coach Paige Thompson said. "They got the win against Yuma and upped their game against Sedgwick County and even though we didn't end up with a win the girls worked hard. We blocked better and had solid serves. We have some great competition these last two weeks of regular season and I know the girls will continue to improve their game and work hard."

The Lady Bulldogs traveled to Otis on Tuesday for a match up with the Lady Bulldogs. At the time, Otis held a 3-2 record and a seventh place seat in the YWKC league. Results of that contest were not available as of press time.

On Thursday, April 8, Haxtun is set to take on Wiggins and Merino at home in triangle action. The Lady Bulldogs will face Wiggins in the first contest and Merino in the second followed by a third set matchup with Wiggins and Merino. Games are set to begin at 3 p.m.

Maxpreps lists the Lady Tigers from Wiggins at 7-1 overall this season with a solo loss to Fleming on March 27. Merino holds a 3-2 overall record with losses to Sterling and Sedgwick County.

Over the next two weeks, Haxtun will face off with Prairie, Wray, Holyoke, Caliche and Weldon Valley before moving into post season action.