Lady Bulldogs gain playoff berth, await seeding

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 10/30/19

After two closely played sets, the Quitman Lady Bulldogs finished off their district slate with a final set domination, nailing down a playoff spot with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-12 victory over …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Lady Bulldogs gain playoff berth, await seeding

Posted

After two closely played sets, the Quitman Lady Bulldogs finished off their district slate with a final set domination, nailing down a playoff spot with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-12 victory over Mineola. After losing to Edgewood last Tuesday, Quitman came back strong Friday at Mineola.

District play ended Tuesday with playoff seeding still to be determined. 

Edgewood has already clinched the District 12-3A crown while Quitman, Rains and Grand Saline will be the other three teams headed to the playoffs.

There is the possibility of a three-way tie that would be settled by a mini-tournament. 

“We have the bye for the last round of games. There is a good chance we could be in a three-way tie for a second place with Grand Saline and Rains. We will have a mini tournament playoff to determine the seeding for playoffs. This is an exciting time for the Lady Bulldogs and for Quitman. I’m so excited to see what the next few weeks hold,” Coach Ashlee Lingo said.

Ava Burroughs continued her outstanding play at the net against Mineola with 13 kills, six digs, three blocks and a pair of aces with teammate Jentri Jackson adding seven kills, 16 digs and an ace. Lucy Brannon had an all-around consistent match with 11 digs, six kills and two aces. Outside hitter Julia Simpkins was on target with 10 digs, five kills and an ace while Maddy Whitehurst added five kills, six digs and two blocks.  Setter Shelby Hayes had 32 assists leading to points for Quitman along with four digs and two kills. Lindsey Hornaday had nine digs and an ace while Brooklyn Marcee and Savannah Breding each had four digs.

The Lady Bulldogs fell to district champion and state-ranked Edgewood last Tuesday on Senior Night at Delbert Ballard Memorial Gym. After being defeated 25-12 in the opening set, Quitman fought diligently in the final two sets before falling to Edgewood 18-22 and 22-25.

Playing in their final home game at Quitman were seniors Jackson, Whitehurst, Simpkins, Hayes and Breding.

Against Edgewood, Jackson had seven digs, a kill, an ace, two assists; Simpkins one dig, eight kills; Hayes 10 digs, one kill, two aces, 18 assists; Whitehurst nine digs, two kills, two aces, one block; Burroughs 3 digs, 9 kills, 1 ace, 2 assists, 1 block; Brannon 4 digs, 3 kills; and Hornaday 3 digs, 2 kills.

The Lady Bulldogs are looking forward to the playoffs. They will take on a team from Dallas-area District 11-3A, a district with six charter schools and Dallas Madison. Last year, Quitman swept Dallas Madison in three sets in bi-district play. 

“These ladies have done a great job this season. We have had moments of up and down at times. We finished district at 8-4. We had a couple of games get away from us that could have made a big difference in the standings. We won’t know our place until after Tuesday’s games,” Lingo said.

The JV beat Mineola 25-18, 25-17 after falling to Edgewood Tuesday 18-25, 17-25. The freshmen team defeated Edgewood in a close battle 25-22, 23-25, 26-24 last Tuesday.