Lady Bulldogs start out season strong

The Sundance Lady Bulldogs opened the 2022 volleyball season in Lingle this past weekend, going up against 1A and 2A teams from the eastern half of the state.

“We had a fun weekend of volleyball getting used to our new lineups. It’ll be a great season for Sundance with some solid senior leadership and new young faces making a statement,” head coach Chelsey Blasczyk stated.

The Lady Bulldogs faced off against Lusk, Lingle, Rock River and Pine Bluffs. Sundance was able to sweep the Lusk Tigers and Pine Bluffs Hornets in two games, while Lingle and Rock River posed a little more of a challenge for the Lady Bulldogs.

Dropping the first game with Lingle 15-25, Sundance forced the next one into extra points taking a 26-24 win. With each team posting a win, the third game would be the first to 15 and the Bulldogs got there first, taking the match victory with two wins over the Lingle Doggers.

Bulldog McKaya Gillespie led the team for the weekend, serving up 12 aces and throwing down 16 kills. Teammate Zoe Skeens also contributed 13 kills at the net while Lexie Marchant put up 10 blocks throughout the tournament play.

The volleyball team will be on the road this week as they travel to Gillette on Friday and Saturday to participate in the Gillette Invite.

Stats from the Lingle Tournament

Sundance vs. Lusk – 25-16, 25-10

Sundance vs. Lingle – 15-25, 26-24, 15-12

Sundance vs. Rock River – 23-25, 14-25

Sundance vs. Pine Bluffs – 25-21, 25-12

Player stats:

McKaya Gillespie – 12 aces, 16 kills, 12 digs, 1 block

Zoe Skeens – 1 ace, 13 kills, 20 digs, 2 blocks

Lexie Marchant – 11 kills, 18 digs, 10 blocks

Maddie Straub – 2 kills, 2 blocks

Rachelle Miller – 3 aces, 14 digs, 24 assists

Jaylin Mills – 4 aces, 13 kills, 12 digs, 5 blocks, 17 assists

Mazelynn Sharp – 3 aces, 2 kills, 4 digs

Aspen Jones – 1 ace, 3 digs

Shannon Gilmartin – 1 ace, 2 digs

Sydney Penning – 4 kills, 3 digs, 1 block