Late momentum halts Lady Bulldogs

Posted 10/24/24

Quitman left an excellent opportunity to beat Edgewood and challenge for a playoff spot Tuesday, when they fell to the Lady Bulldogs 19-25, 25-20, 23-25, 13-25.

Edgewood took the first set by …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Late momentum halts Lady Bulldogs

Posted

Quitman left an excellent opportunity to beat Edgewood and challenge for a playoff spot Tuesday, when they fell to the Lady Bulldogs 19-25, 25-20, 23-25, 13-25.

Edgewood took the first set by six points, but the Lady Bulldogs came roaring back. The Quitman side found their bearings midway through the second set. 

Behind some spectacular play by Erin Vander Schaaf, Annabelle Popek and Autumn Cason, the Lady Bulldogs attacked with consistency and energy.  

They carried that level of performance until late in the third set. After holding off a brief Edgewood comeback, Vander Schaaf went to work. In close sequence she registered a kill from the backline, scored on a drop shot and issued an ace. Cason scored on a spike, and Allie Berry put-away an overpass to give Quitman a 22-16 lead.

Then, someone on the Edgewood side found that switch in the Ballard gymnasium. Every gym has one – a switch which flips the momentum completely to the other side of the court – but they are hard to find.

Edgewood rattled off nine straight points to take the third set. There was no identifiable event in the course of play which could be noted as a turning point. Quitman suddenly appeared handcuffed. 

The Lady Bulldogs looked shocked at how the third set turned against them. They could not regain their level of performance from earlier in the match.

Edgewood rode their momentum to a fourth set, and match, win.  

The match was representative of the great contributions made this year by freshman volleyballer Erin Vander Schaaf. Her court awareness, sense of timing and athletic ability have contributed greatly to the Lady Bulldogs this season. 

The Lady Bulldogs finish with road games Friday at Malakoff and Tuesday at Grand Saline.