This year’s Dove Creek Bulldogs volleyball team is special, not only because they win, but also because they dominate.
Undefeated on the season and winners of 23 consecutive sets, the Bulldogs crushed the Nucla Mustangs on Friday, Oct. 18, winning, 25-16, 25-17, 25-9.
Early in the first set, play was competitive as the Bulldogs led 12-11 after 23 points. Momentum quickly turned, however. A series of kills punctuated by a Jennifer Fury spike, culminated with the Bulldogs taking the set.
“It took us a little while to get started and adjust to (Nucla’s) offense,” said Knuckles. “Once we got things figured out and got our passes to our setters, we started to pull away.”
Much like the first set, the second set remained competitive early on with the Bulldogs eventually jumping out to a 15-12 lead. The Bulldogs would win ten of the next fifteen points, however, and capture the set 25-17 on an ace by Jessica Guynes.
“Jessica Guynes really stepped up,” Knuckles said. “She had eight kills from the outside and only one error.”
Looking thoroughly dominant in the third set, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 16-1 lead behind the serving of Corissa Guynes and never looked back, ultimately securing a 25-9 set victory following a hitting error by the Mustangs.
“Our second rotation is one of our strongest rotations,” said Knuckles. “It just seems to click with Corrissa’s serving. They tried to triple block us, but we were able to send balls to the outside
Leading the Bulldogs in hitting was Shelbie Knuckles, who recorded 16 kills to pace her team.
Kristin Knuckles and Jennifer Fury tied for the team lead in digs with 11, while Madison Young led the Bulldogs in assists with 16.
With their season record now at 17-0, the Bulldogs will play at Norwood on Friday, Oct. 18, before wrapping up their regular season against Telluride, in Norwood, on the same day.
“Against Norwood, we want to improve against the last time we played them at home. It would be awesome to go undefeated in the regular season. We’re just taking things one game at a time.”
imaclaren@cortezjournal.com