ADDISON, Ala. — The Addison Lady Bulldogs hosted area foe Saint Bernard at Allen Stephenson Gym Thursday night, and the home team came away with a sweep after taking three straight sets 25-17, 25-21 and 25-7. The Lady Bulldogs can be penciled into at least the State semifinals every year whereas the Lady Saints have struggled a bit lately. After tonight, it is apparent that the Lady Saints are progressing nicely, and they gave the Lady Dawgs everything that they wanted and then some on the court.
The first set saw Addison jump out to a 7-2 lead behind the serve of Annabeth Powell and the strong defense of Katie Barrett and Mattie Johnson. The Lady Saints settled down and trailed Addison 10-5. The Lady Saints were led by rising star Abigail McBride. Lady Dawg Karson Wyatt served the Lady Dawgs to a 13-5 lead, and it looked like the ladies from Addison were going to run away with the set. Saint Bernard wasn’t ready to quit and came back behind McBride and the serve of Rafi Guevara. The Lady Saints cut the Addison lead to 14-10 to get back in it. Neither team could mount any run the rest of the way, exchanging points back and forth until Addison outlasted Saint Bernard 25-17 to take the first set.
The second set was even closer than the first. Saint Bernard got down 6-1 early and it looked like Addison was going to run them out of the gym. The Lady Bulldogs were playing well, but the Lady Saints started the comeback by taking nine of the next 10 points. Again, they were led by McBride and the serve of Guevara, as they took a 10-7 lead. Addison came back behind Barrett and Johnson serves and solid defense from Lauryn Cunningham and Brystil Moser to retake the lead 13-12.
As the set progressed, it was obvious that the Lady Saints weren’t going anywhere as they went back and forth with the Lady Dawgs and actually led 21-18 at one point. This is where the past championship experience of Addison came into play and carried the Dawgs to the finish line. Addison scored seven unanswered points to take the second set 25-21. Powell served the last six points for the victory.
Addison dominated the third set 25-7 to complete the sweep and take the match 3-0. Addison jumped out to a 14-3 lead and never looked back. Barrett and Wyatt again led in serves while Ava Bartlett, Cunningham and Johnson controlled the net.
Addison Head Coach Kaydi Woodard,
“Glad to get the win and was impressed by the ladies from Saint Bernard. They are much improved from last year. Proud of my girls for the way that they responded to getting challenged at home and especially coming out and dominating the third set. We need to come out a little more focused and play the way we did in the third set the entire match.”
Saint Bernard Head Coach Elicia Fallin,
“So proud of our ladies coming to Addison and playing a perennial powerhouse so tough. This was our first game, and we were a bit shorthanded, but the ladies stepped up and played their hearts out. We just need to improve week to week, and I believe that we can accomplish our goals for this year.”
Stats
Addison was led in kills by Barrett and Johnson with 10 each. Bartlett had 7 and Cunningham had 5. Saint Bernard was led by McBride with 9. Ella Davis and Lily Tillitski had 2 each.
Addison was led in digs by Powell with 7. Moser and Barrett had 5 each. Saint Bernard was led by Ele Tillitski with 15.
Addison was led in aces by Barrett with 3. Moser and Powell had 2 each. Saint Bernard was led by McBride and Ele Tillitski with 2 each.
Addison was led in blocks by Johnson with 2. Saint Bernard was led by McBride with 4.
Addison was led in assists by Powell with 33.
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