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Lady Bulldogs take State

The Sundance Lady Bulldogs walked away with their fifth state volleyball championship this past weekend in Casper. The Bulldogs were arguably one of the three best teams in state this year.

The way the bracket was set up, the Bulldogs were looking to have to go through the other two best teams, Pine Bluffs and Wright. In an amazing twist of fate, the Bulldogs did not have to face either team in their run to the Championship.

The Bulldogs started tournament play facing off against Tongue River. It was a back and forth for both teams, but the Bulldogs were able to take the 27-25 victory in a tight game one.

Game two saw the Eagles come back with vengeance, dominating the court with a 25-9 victory over the Bulldogs. This loss, the only one the Bulldogs would face in the tournament, did not deter nor break their vision of their ultimate goal.

“They played as one unit,” Coach Greta Crawford stated. “A team committed to their goal to be State Champions.”

The next two games saw the Bulldogs getting the job done. Coach Crawford saw the girls doing their jobs at 100 percent and thinking of the team’s success. Winning these games, 25-23 and 25-22, the Sundance Bulldogs moved on to round two.

Instead of meeting the top ranked Pine Bluffs Hornets in the semi-finals, the Bulldogs faced off against the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies. The Grizzles were coming off a 3-2 victory over the Hornets and feeling great.

However, the upset-minded Grizzlies were no match for the Bulldogs as they continued their momentum and team play from the first round. The Bulldogs were able to defeat the Grizzlies with a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-18, 25-20) and move on to the Championship game.

It was the number three seed from the east against the number one seed from the west for the championship game. The Sundance Bulldogs were looking for their second state championship in three years, while the Wind River Cougars were looking to gain their first state title.

Sundance jumped out to an early lead taking victories in game one and two (25-13, 25-18). However, Wind River was not going to give up that easily. Taking game three to extra points, the Bulldogs were able to walk away with a 26-24 victory and another state title for their banner.

Coach Crawford and Blasczyk had this to say about the Lady Bulldogs volleyball season and state championship: “Whether passers, setters, hitters, blockers, servers, scorebook keeper or managers, they were all vital to the team success. Teams win championships! They are an amazing group of girls, winners both on and off the court! Thank you to the parents, SHS students and staff, and the community you are awesome! Your support was extremely important to our success. Go Big Red!”

Earning all-conference honors for the Sundance Lady Bulldogs wer Afton Marchant, Teddi Marchant, Cana McInerney and Sherry Negaard.

Earing all-state honors for the Sundance Lady Bulldogs were Afton Marchant and Sherry Negaard.

Stats from the tournament:

Scores:

SHS vs. Tongue River 27-25, 9-25, 25-23, 25-22

SHS vs. Rocky Mountain 25-21, 25-18, 25-20

SHS vs. Wind River 25-13, 25-18, 26-24

Kills: Negaard 50, McInerney 16, Holloman 14, Pollat 13, Br. Hofland 9

Assists McInerney 55, T. Marchant 41

Blocks: Pollat 14, Holloman 12, T. Marchant 8, Negaard 7, Br. Hofland 6

Digs: A. Marchant 47, McInerney 25, Heaster 24, Gill 21, T. Marchant 20,

Serves: Heaster 47/49 (7 aces), A. Marchant 45/50 (6 aces), Negaard 40/40 (2 aces), McInerney 28/28 (1 ace)

Serve Receive: A. Marchant 234/306, Gill 61/87