When the Waldron Sr High Lady Bulldogs started their volleyball season, they were already pegged as the underdogs. After ending their 2018 season with a conference record of 8-6 and a total season record of 10-13-2, opponents were quick to write them off as an easy win. But that is where the competition messed up! The Lady Bulldogs started slapping down the other teams right out of the gate bringing in wins. With the conclusion of their season, the Lady Bulldogs finish with a total play record of 12-12 and a conference record of 10-4.
Waldron put the lid on their season on October 30 when they played their last game of 2019 in the Quarter Finals of the 3A State Volleyball Tournament. For the first round, the Lady Bulldogs were slated to play Perryville where they earned a 3-2 win sending them on to the next round. On Wednesday, Waldron put everything they had into their match with the Piggott Lady Mohawks but in the heartbreaking finale, the Lady Bulldogs fell 1-3.
But that’s not to say that the girls didn’t do what they do best which is kick butt with their ninja-like volleyball skills. Kentucky Spence ended her final game of the season with 5 kills, 5 blocks, and 2 digs. Ashton Young wrapped things up with 18 digs. Rheagan Sanford said goodbye with 17 digs, 16 kills, 1 block, and 1 ace. Molly Richmond left the court with 4 digs and 2 kills. Karrissa Johnston dropped the curtain with 18 digs, 5 kills, 4 blocks, and 2 aces. Jayden Manning waved farewell with 1 dig and 1 ace. And Jessica Ozuna departed with 4 kills and 4 digs.
Bidding an emotional adios on their high school volleyball career was Taylor Stacy and Bayleigh Lipham. Stacy took away 22 digs, 6 blocks, 3 kills, and 1 ace while Bayleigh Lipham waved the white flag with 12 digs, 2 kills, and 1 block. Coach Toby Hollin expressed these words about her two senior Lady Bulldogs. “This year, we will be sadly losing our two seniors, Taylor Stacy and Bayleigh Lipham. These two girls have been a vital part of our team this season. They have shown what being a leader under pressure looks like by attacking each game with such raw intensity. Even when things looked rough they were encouraging to their teammates and they have exceeded any and all expectations set in place by anyone around them. Our Lady Bulldogs family is painstakingly losing two members so to say that they will be missed is an understatement.”
