The accomplishments are piling up for the 2013 Dove Creek Bulldogs volleyball team, which, following an undefeated regular season, recently secured a 1A District 1 Championship.
WIN OVER PLATEAU VALLEY
Opening the District 1 Tournament in Olathe on Friday, Oct. 25, against Plateau Valley, the Bulldogs utilized a diverse attack to secure a 25-11, 25-17, 25-18 victory.
Beginning the first set, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead on the strength of excellent serving by Jennifer Fury.
After eventually extending their lead to 12-1 with a kill by Madison McCourt, the Bulldogs held strong, eventually securing the first set 25-11 on a kill by Madison Young.
Following a series of close points early in the second set, the Bulldogs pulled away, building an 18-12 lead on a kill by Ana Lee and securing the set 25-17 on a kill by Fury.
The third set proved to be more of the same as the Bulldogs continued to dominate, pulling ahead early before winning the set 25-18 with a block by Fury.
Highlighting the Bulldogs victory over Plateau Valley was a diversified attack that saw Shelbie Knuckles, Young and Fury all record at least 10 kills. Kristin Knuckles led the team in digs with 23, while Young led the team in assists with 23.
“Having a diversified attack is important,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Scott Knuckles. “All three girls were high percent as far as hitting. A lot of (Young’s) kills came from tips and finding holes.”
VICTORY OVER OURAY
Following its win over Plateau Valley, a highly motivated Bulldogs squad decimated Ouray, winning 25-4, 25-3, 25-8.
According to Scott Knuckles, his team’s dominant performance keyed off a quote by Ouray’s head coach, who referred to Ridgway High School as one of the toughest squads his team would play all season.
“The girls responded to that,” said Scott Knuckles of the quote. “We want to be the toughest team that that team has ever faced.”
Statistical leaders in the Bulldogs’ victory over Ouray included Shelbie Knuckles (19 kills), Jennifer Fury (7 aces, 8 digs) and Madison Young (26 assists).
TRIUMPH OVER VAIL CHRISTIAN
Playing against Vail Christian in the District 1 Championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, the Bulldogs again played well, winning in four sets, 25-17, 19-25, 25-22, 25-21.
Following a series of tight points in the first set that left things tied at 15-15, the Bulldogs went on an 7-0 run to take a 22-15 lead, before eventually securing the set 25-17.
After dropping the second set 19-25, the Bulldogs trailed 8-16 in the third set before going on a long run to eventually win, 25-22 following a Vail Christian hitting error.
Looking to close things out in the fourth set, the Bulldogs kept things close early before using a 4-0 run to move ahead 20-16. Dove Creek would later secure the set 25-21 on a spike by Fury.
“Vail Christian, the third and fourth set, wore down a little bit,” said Scott Knuckles. “They had some good hitters. Some of the digs that our girls had were amazing. It was fun to watch.”
Leading the way for the Bulldogs against Vail Christian was Shelbie Knuckles, who recorded 22 kills, 7 aces and 33 digs.
Now ranked as the top 1A team in the state of Colorado in a Maxpreps poll, the Bulldogs move on to the Regional Tournament, which will be held in Dove Creek on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The we look at it, we’re 3-0,” said Scott Knuckles, referring to his team’s postseason record. “It’s a whole different season now. We want to go 5-0. We want to take things one game at a time.”