By Stephanie Zwick
The Lady Badgers started their busy week in Bennett on Tuesday, Sept. 29. They kept the score close in the first set, with key points coming from Sophia McCormick, Tinsley Malcom, Braelyn Malcom, Maddie Witt, and Molly Wienstorer. Bennett managed to edge out the Lady Badgers, 25-23.
The Lady Badgers fought back to take the second set, 25-22, and even the match. Once again, McCormick, T. Malcom, B. Malcom, Witt, Emma Holforty, and Tenley Willinger were key to their success.
Sets three and four did not go the Lady Badgers’ way. Bennett won the sets 25-18 and 25-20, respectively.
The Lady Badgers then traveled to Crowley County to take on the Chargers on Thursday Oct 1st. They quickly went to work as T. Malcom, Witt, Rockwell, Holforty, and Willinger combined to win the first set, 25-14.
The Lady Badgers continued to dominate in the second set. McCormick, T. Malcom, Witt, Rockwell, Holforty, Willinger, and Chloe Stone helped the team secure a 25-22 win.
In the third set, the Lady Badgers delivered strong blocks, kills, and saves, including plays out of the net and off the gym’s low ceiling. T. Malcom and Rockwell also recorded impressive service aces as the Lady Badgers closed out the match with a 25-19 win.
The week ended with the Lady Badgers traveling to Fowler for the Fowler Tournament on Saturday Oct. 3, where they played three matches. Their first opponent was the Fowler Grizzlies. In the opening set, the Grizzlies took advantage of the Badgers’ travel and early start to win 25-20. The Badgers responded at full strength, winning the second set 25-14, the third 25-8, and the fourth 25-16.
The second match of the tournament was against the Lamar Thunder. Limon dominated all three sets, winning 25-18, 25-20, and 25-21.
The third and final match of the weekend was against the Pueblo Central Wildcats. The Wildcats gave the Badgers a tougher challenge, producing strong net play with blocks and hits. The Badgers answered with exciting play of their own, including blocks and saves out of the net. Both teams served well, recording several aces over the three sets. The Wildcats ultimately controlled all three sets, winning each one 25-18.
The Lady Badgers finished an impressive week with three wins and two losses.