Rusk, Bullard volleyball teams earn Bi District championships

by By Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

Rusk defeats Bulldogs three times

The Rusk Lady Eagles volleyball team earned an opportunity to enter post-season play which ended in the second round to Midlothian Heritage.
In a warm-up game against Eustace Friday, Nov.1, the Lady Eagles defeated the Eustace Bulldogs in three games, 25-23, 25-16 and 25-23.

The team then entered the first round of playoffs, earning a Class 4A-Region III bi-district title.

The Lady Eagles defeated the Jasper Bulldogs in three games. The first victory was a close 25-23. The next games were won by greater margins of 25-16 and 25-12.

Jamyah Anderson recorded 17 kills in the bi-district game. Grace Yong and Kaycee Johnson each posted 10 kills.

The bi-district win led to the area-round playoff against the Midlothian Heritage Tigers, where Rusk dropped the match in three games, ending their playoff hopes.

Lady Panthers win Bi-District, Area

The Lady Panthers volleyball team entered 4A Region II playoffs, earning the titles of Bi-District and Area champions last week.

The team was set to take on Van Monday, Nov. 11, in the Regional Quarterfinal.

The first round of playoffs was against the Liberty-Eylau Leopards. The Lady Panthers defeated the Leopards, 3-1.
The first game was an easy 25-12 win. The second game was won by the slim margin of 25-22.

The third game was lost to the Leopards by the same margin.

The final game again ended with the same score, but with Bullard again on top.

Sara McKeethan recorded 21 kills and 19 digs in the bi-district match. Keili Richmond posted 17 kills and eight digs. Haley Day added five kills, five digs and three blocks.

Libby Eitel recorded 41 assists and seven digs.

Claire Cannon added eight digs and Olivia Anderson, nine digs.

The team’s overall record was 38-6 following the first-round playoff.

For the area round match Bullard played against the Community Braves, defeating them three games to one.
Community took the first game win, by a mere two-point edge, 25-23.

Bullard battled back, taking the next three games straight, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22.

McKeethan posted 16 kills and 22 digs.

Richmond recorded 18 kills and 13 digs. Sarah Lewinski added six kills and three blocks.

Eitel posted 42 assists and six digs. Cannon had 23 digs.

After earning the area championship, Bullard’s record improved to 39-6.

The Lady Panthers were to take on Van (32-15) Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Tyler Junior College.

Should the Lady Panthers defeat Van, the team will advance to the Regional Quarterfinal and play the winner of the Sanger Indians (25-20) versus the Celina Bobcats (28-11) game.