After dropping its first two matches to Newcomb 0-3, the Dove Creek volleyball team (0-3) hosted Dolores (3-1) on Thursday.
The Bulldogs got out to a slow start, dropping the first game 19-25 and losing the second 16-25.
But in the third game, the young Dove Creek team showed resiliency during a back-and-forth contest.
While the score was tied for much of the game, Dolores jumped out to its biggest lead at 19-13.
“Serving was definitely a weakness,” said Dove Creek head coach Melissa Carver. “I don’t know if it was nerves or what, but we definitely missed some serves.”
However, trailing by six, the Bulldogs put together a run that included key blocks to pull even at 22.
The teams found themselves tied again at 23 and 24, before Dolores pulled away to win 26-24, and take the match in three straight games.
Carver was frustrated that her team couldn’t keep its momentum, but believes the young squad will improve.
“I think it’s partly experience,” she said. “We have a pretty young and inexperienced team. But I think part of it is just practicing and getting them to be aware of what it feels like to keep that momentum going forward.
“We definitely practiced that this week,” Carver said. “And we’ll be practicing more of that.”
The Bulldogs also plan to work on serving and tip coverage to prepare for their next match against Monument Valley on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m.