The Bandera Middle School volleyball teams kicked off their season with decisive victories against Pearsall, as the 8th and 7th Grade teams showcased their skills on the court.
The 8th Grade A Team, fueled by a surge of support from the home crowd, delivered an impressive performance in their match against the Pearsall Lady Dogies.
The Lady Bulldogs dominated the game, winning in two straight sets with scores of 25-10 and 25-16.
Coach Amanda Nelson- Green praised her team’s adaptability and resilience, noting that last-minute lineup changes did not deter them.
“These young ladies stayed open to last-minute lineup changes and made me so proud,” Nelson- Green said. “The energy from the stands was incredible, and it really helped drive the team.”
Leading the charge in serving aces were Gracen Spruell and Blu Rollo, each contributing 8 aces. Rehnahta Gomez and Elle Vander Zee each added 6 points, while Elizabeth D’Spain and Maddie Arriola made significant contributions at the net with two kills each.
Defensive efforts were highlighted by Hadley Rogers with 3 digs and Emma McClintock with 2 digs. Cealy Billings played a crucial role in the team’s success, leading with 3 assists.
“I’m excited to see what this season holds and look forward to a bright future for Bandera volleyball,” Nelson-Green added.
The 8th Grade A Team is set to travel to Carrizo Springs on Wednesday, September 4th, to take on the Lady Cats.
In the 8th Grade B Team’s match, the Lady Bulldogs overcame any first-game jitters to secure a win in two sets, 25-17 and 25-14.
Kendall Schmidt, Makensie Clay, and Bentley O’Donnal led the team in serving, while Jasmine Rhodes and Grace Walker stood out on defense.
“Overall, the entire team worked well together,” said Nelson-Green.
The 7th Grade A Team also celebrated a successful start to their season, winning their first match in two sets.
The team focused on mastering their serve receive rotations and succeeded in completing their first pass, set, and hit of the season. Brenna Bryd led the team in serving aces with 5, supported by Emily Short, Kaycee Putney, Colbie Lalanne, and Harper Hicks, who each contributed additional points.
“These girls knew that serving was going to be a big part of our game, and they delivered,” said Nelson-Green.
The 7th Grade B Team faced an early setback by losing the first set, but they rallied to secure their first win of the season.
Natalie Guel and Ashley Mata led the team in serving, each contributing 6 aces.
