Bulldogs defeat West Fork, drops one against Algona

The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldogs have had competitive matches in the opening weeks of the season.

The Bulldogs started this year hosting West Fork and defeated them 3-2, rallying from a 0-2 deficit

Then, on Thursday, the HD-CAL hosted fellow Bulldog team Algona.

HD-CAL was beaten in a 1-3 match.

Against West Fork, the Bulldogs competed, but fell behind after losing sets 21-25 and 22-25.

Coach Sarah Miller said she brought her team in and reminded them to communicate on the court.

“I told the girls we had a choice and that was we would play one more and go home early or we can play together and be here for three more sets,” Miller said.

The Bulldogs chose the latter and won the next three sets 25-18, 25-21 and 25-13. Senior Addyson Showalter rallied the team back with her six serving aces, 28 successful serves and 33 digs.

Senior Aja Sheppard came up with six aces and 30 successful serves. Kortney Dunt had 13 kills.

Emma Showalter had four solo blocks for the team.

“The girls all worked for this win,” Miller said. “Our crowd was amazing. It was a team win and we hope to continue the focus going into next week.”

Against Algona, the two teams traded sets; Algona winning the first set 16-25 and HDC winning set two 25-20.

From there HD-CAL dropped sets 16-25 and 11-25.

HD-CAL had 10 less kills than Algona, totaling 21.

Algona had 19 aces over HD-CAL’s 12.

Freshman Aubryee Showalter had seven kills; junior Gina Schmit recorded five.

Aubryee had two solo blocks Kortney Dunt recorded 12 digs for the team and recorded four aces and 11 successful serves.

Sheppard had 15 successful serves.