Burnet volleyball beats Lampasas

CAPTION: The Lady Dawgs, including seniors Grace Cullison (2) and Payton Smith, celebrate winning a big point against Salado. Photo by Kaydence Burditt/In Color Photography

The Burnet High School volleyball team split matches last week in District 24-4A play.

The Lady Dawgs (22-8, 6-3) swept Lampasas 25-14, 25-7, 25-18 Oct. 10 and lost to Salado 26-24, 19-25, 17-25, 12-25 Oct. 7.

Head coach Crystal Shipley pointed out three characteristics the Lady Dawgs displayed against the Lady Badgers (10-19, 1-8) that led to victory.

“They did a great job controlling the tempo of the game,” she said. “They served aggressively and consistently. They did well with unexpected plays from the Badgers, being engaged and ready for every ball.” 

Shipley described the game the Lady Dawgs won against Salado, which is ranked No. 11 in the Class 4A poll of the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

“Varsity came out fired up, winning an electrifying first set and showing a great fight throughout the match,” she said. “Despite falling in four sets, the team made great strides, and it was a night full of growth and grit across all levels.”

She noted one area that stood out was Burnet’s work at the net.

“A major game changer is our block,” the coach said. “Our front row putting up a block is so crucial against great hitting teams. It sets up our defense to make great plays even when we don’t get a touch. I’m so proud of our girls and the defensive effort. Our setters, Marisa Porter and Brooklynn Dawes, have really been working on fast tempo connections with their hitters and it helped beat the big Salado block. It was a great match and definitely helped us get better.”

Junior Varsity Green defeated Salado to give the Lady Eagles their first loss of the season “in an impressive two-set victory,” Shipley said.

Junior Varsity White lost in two sets after nearly forcing a third game. “Though they came up just short, their effort and hustle were outstanding,” the coach said.

All three Burnet teams beat Lampasas.

Burnet plays back-to-back road matches beginning with a trip to Taylor Tuesday, Oct. 14, and at Jarrell, Friday, Oct. 17, with the subvarsities playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity to follow at 6 p.m.

“We’re proud of the effort and progress each team continues to make,” Shipley said. “Let’s keep the momentum going. My biggest goal for them is to keep pushing to be better every day. Our block, reading on defense, fast offense and minimal errors are the main focus. Our girls play with all their heart, so hustle is never a question for me. They fight until the whistle blows. I just want that to continue as well.”

STATISTICS

Kills – Grace Cullison 15, Peyton McCabe 12, Landry Schubert 11, Wrigley Mulhollan 9, Taylor Smith 8, Journey Denton 7, Peyton Allen 1; digs – Payton Smith 35, Brooklynn Dawes 22, Denton 19, Marisa Porter 18, Sarah Cullison 6, McCabe 6, P. Allen 5, G. Cullison 4, Ava Alexander 3, Schubert 2, Lexie Clark 1, Mulhollan 1; assists – Porter 30, Dawes 19, P. Smith 6, Denton 4, G. Cullison 2, S. Cullison 1, Schubert 1; aces – Dawes 6, Clark 5, P. Smith 5, Denton 4, Porter 2; blocks – Schubert 7, McCabe 5, T. Smith 3, G. Cullison 1