Bulldogs bit by undefeated teams

COLFAX - Facing a week of tough opponents, the Colfax volleyball team dropped two matches last week to teams that are still undefeated on the season.

The Bulldogs fell to the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague (LRS) Broncos, 3-0, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and lost to the Freeman Scotties, 3-1, of Rockford, Wash., on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Against LRS, the set scores were 25-16, 25-23 and 26-24. As of Thursday, Sept. 26, the Broncos held a record of 7-0 and only had two set losses against them the whole season, both coming from Davenport on a 3-2 victory against the Gorillas on Thursday, Sept. 12. As last year's State runner-up, LRS is ranked sixth, according to WIAA rankings.

Colfax senior Ava Swan led the Bulldogs with 23 kills, 22 digs, two aces and one block. Junior Cianna Gibb had 28 assists in the match.

Against Freeman, the set scores were 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-15. The Bulldogs managed to get a set win against the Scotties, who held a record of 7-0 after the match and had previously had three set losses on the season.

"I was absolutely amazed at getting that set," Colfax coach Megan Dorman said. "I thought the girls buckled down going 25-18 and then getting one more point the next set. We continue to improve and have the wherewithal to stick with it."

Set one began with both teams trading points with each other until Freeman slowly began to inch away with the lead. Aces by Freeman junior Greta Van Gemert and senior Brooke Berglund helped secure the lead. The set ended with a kill by the Scotties offense.

"We are continuing to work on our defense," Dorman said. "With our height not being quite there, we're really having to work on the back row and what they're doing at all times. We are still continuing to work on moving as one, so we'll get there."

Set two started with Colfax taking a 6-3 lead on kills by Swan, assisted Gibb. The Scotties began to make several digs and tied the set, 10-10, before taking the lead.

The dynamic duo of Gibbs and Swan was stymied by the Freeman defense. The set ended with a block kill by Berglund.

Not going down without a dogfight, the Bulldogs managed to take a win in set three. The teams traded points again until the score was tied, 9-9, and again at 20-20.

This time, Colfax senior Brenna Gilchrist was being set up for a kill by Gibbs.

"I thought Cianna (Gibbs) made some good choices, especially when Ava (Swan) was in the back row and knowing who we needed a kill from," Dorman said. "I thought we got some good touches on some blocks and hits. Overall we played a good all-around game."

With the score tied at 22 apiece, the Bulldogs continued to make massive digs to keep the ball alive and gain the points needed for the win.

"I love the improvement from the beginning of the season to now," Dorman said. "We just continue to make huge gains each match, which is what we want to see. You want to be peaking at the end."

Set four began with Freeman taking an 8-1 lead. Colfax made a couple of runs to shorten the gap, bringing the score within three at 17-14, but ultimately Freeman prevailed and won the set and the match.

"We serve-received pretty well," Dorman said. "They had some tough servers and I thought we did a good job for the most part."

Swan was all over the stat sheet, leading the Bulldogs in kills (28), aces (2), digs (13) and blocks (1). Gibb had 32 assists in the match and also had two aces. Gilchrist matched Swan with 13 digs, and junior outside hitter Ruby Simmons also had one block.

Next up for the Bulldogs was to play in the Linda Sheridan-Buzz Welch Crossover Tournament at Shadle Park High School on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28.

"We play bigger schools and that will help when we come around and face Freeman again," Dorman said."

At the tournament, Colfax had two wins and three losses. In Round 1, the Bulldogs lost to 5A school Lakeland of Rathdrum, Idaho, 2-0, with set scores of 25-13 and 25-19. Colfax fell to Washington 4A school Eastmont, 2-0, (25-16, 25-23) and 3A school Southridge, 2-0, (25-22, 25-23).

In the Copper Bracket, the Bulldogs defeated 2A foe Rogers of Spokane, 2-0, (25-15, 25-14) and 1A team Colville, 2-0, (25-13, 25-18). Colfax ended the tournament with a 2-1 loss to 2B opponent Davenport.

Throughout the tournament, Swan had 71 kills and five blocks. Gibb had 90 assists and Gilchrist had 39 digs. Avery Andrus had six aces.

The Bulldogs continued their season with an away match against Asotin on Tuesday, Oct. 1, after press time. Their next matchup is 6:30 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 3, with a home match against Liberty.