The Quitman Lady Bulldogs came within a set of knocking off Harmony before closing the week with a district loss on the road at Commerce.
Quitman battled Harmony through five sets Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Delbert Ballard Gym, taking a 2-1 match lead before the Lady Eagles rallied for a 23-25, 25-13, 15-25, 25-22, 15-10 victory.
The Lady Bulldogs opened the match with a tight 25-23 win before Harmony responded with a 25-13 victory in the second set.
Quitman regained control in the third, turning in its most decisive set of the night with a 25-15 win to move within one set of taking the match.
Harmony kept the match alive by edging Quitman 25-22 in the fourth, forcing a deciding fifth set. The Lady Eagles completed the comeback with a 15-10 win in the finale.
The loss dropped Quitman to 11-16 on the season.
The Lady Bulldogs returned to district play Friday, Sept. 18, traveling to Commerce. The Tigers took the match in four sets, 3-1.
The loss moved Quitman to 11-17 overall and 1-2 in district play.
Head Coach Archie Thompson said the Lady Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm during the week while playing without one of their key players, Erin Vander Schaaf, who was sidelined with an injury.
Thompson said Vander Schaaf’s absence forced the team to “move some things around,” preventing the Lady Bulldogs from playing their normal game.
Despite the difficult week, Thompson is optimistic heading into the next stretch of district play.
“If we play clean and stay aggressive, we’ll be fine,” Thompson said.
Vander Schaaf has recovered from her injury and is expected to return to her normal starting position as Quitman continued district action Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Rains.