Blanche Lady Bulldogs Win Lincoln
County Volleyball Tournament
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The Blanche Lady Bulldogs volleyball team was crowned the Lincoln County tournament champions this weekend, capping off a perfect season. The Lady Bulldogs were at their best this past weekend as they entered the tournament as the number one seed. Friday evening, the Lady Bulldogs opened up play against the Riverside Christian Academy Lady Knights. Blanche took control of both games early and never looked back, winning the match in two straight games. Blanche has won 76 consecutive games. Scores of the games are: Game #1 Blanche 25 and RCA 8; Game #2 Blanche 25 and RCA 8. |
Winners of the 2006 Lincoln County Volleyball Tournament held at Highland Rim School are the Blanche Lady Bulldogs from left, front row, Rachel Carroll, Sara Wiser, Savanna Brantley, Samantha Hovis; second row, Head Coach Randy Milligan, Assistant Coach Fran Hamilton, Karisa Hamilton, Jessica Delfunt, Caulyn Pressnell, Frankie Ary, Hannah Eldridge, Rachel Hovis, and Haley Cobb. (courtesy photo) |
“It was a very good outing. We came out strong and played well the whole game,” said Blanche Coach Randy Milligan. “We played solid defense and served the ball extremely well.”
On Saturday the Lady Bulldogs took their game to another level as they opened play against Highland Rim, the number two seed and host for the tournament. The Lady Bulldogs overpowered the Hornets with their consistent serving from the top to bottom of their line up. The Lady Bulldogs’ defense proved too much for the Hornets who had their hitting game going. Blanche handled the hits and kept the pressure on Highland Rim throughout the match, winning both games 25-8. The two wins gave Blanche its 78th consecutive win.
Scores of the games were: Game #1 Blanche 25 and Highland Rim 8; Game #2 Blanche 25 and Highland Rim 8.
Coach Milligan commented, “We most certainly took our game to a higher level today. We came ready to play, mentally and physically. We were totally focused on what we had to do.” Milligan continued, “We were diving on the floor and going after the ball. We defended the hits perfectly. Our serving for the match was outstanding. I felt that our girls had the mental approach we were not going to lose today. We kept the pressure on them the whole game.” He added, “I was very proud of the our performance and how we handled the pressure. We stayed poised and confident throughout the match and beat a very good opponent on their home floor to reach the finals of the tournament.”
In the finals of the tournament the Lady Bulldogs played Stone Bridge Academy who had defeated Highland Rim to advance to the finals. The Lady Bulldogs jumped out to early leads in both games 9-0 and 8-0 and kept the pressure on the Lady Wildcats through the match. With outstanding serving and their solid fundamental play, the Lady Bulldogs took the match in two straight games for the tournament championship for the second year in a row.
The Lady Bulldogs closed out their season with 80 straight game wins on going from last year. The Lady Bulldogs outscored their opponents 150-41 and were also the regular season champion for the fourth straight year.
Game scores were: Game #1 Blanche 25 and Stone Bridge 4; Game #2 Blanche 25 and Stone Bridge 6.
Coach Milligan said, “Before the start of the match I told the team to fear no opponent but to respect every opponent. Stone Bridge just knocked out the number two seed on their home court. Do not take them lightly.” He continued, “We came out really strong serving the ball, maybe the best we had all year. We were serving to the open spots just like we practice on everyday. We were placing the ball to the corners. It all came together for us,” Milligan added. “Our approach to this year’s tournament was to go win it and our girls did. I was very proud of all the girls. They have worked hard all year and their hard work has paid off. We Believe!”