WHEN ONE OF YOUR OWN FACES A BATTLE of her own….fresh out of the hospital after a tough surgery, Reagan Stuver (above) is surrounded by her team – her family – as the Lady Bulldogs celebrate their win over Mart Tuesday night. The Lady Bulldogs go into playoffs as UNDEFEATED District CHAMPS. (Photo by Jennifer Lansford)
Wortham beat Mart in five games:
Game 1 – Wortham 25-14
Game 2 – Mart 25-21
Game 3 – Wortham 25-23
Game 4 – Mart 25-23
Game 5 – Wortham 15-11
“Very emotional night with having Senior Night and having our very own Reagan Stuver come to the game after having a major surgery,” says Coach DeAnna Whaley. “Reagan was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, which are structural defects in the base of the skull and cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. Reagan had a great surgery on Friday and came home Monday. She was determined to come to the game and be part of her team.”
Wortham took the lead in the first set shutting Mart down 25-14.
Mart came out strong the second set with an early lead taking the Bulldogs down in their first district set loss.
Wortham seemed to continue to be down in the third set when Mart took the lead early and continued to lead in the set.
Wortham came from behind when Mart was leading 20-16 to take the win with 25-23.
The fourth set was a battle with many long rallies. Wortham fell short 25-23 to tie up the match 2-2. Wortham lost the serve on the flip but broke the serve with a kill from Kayla Lansford.
The fifth set was a continuous battle with each team earning one point at time to keep a tied score. Wortham took a two point lead at 7-9 but Mart tied it up at 9-9. Wortham battled strong to take the win at 15-11.
Wortham took the district title with an undefeated season 16-0 with the win over Mart. This makes the 20th consecutive year that Wortham has made the playoffs.
The fourth consecutive year to be district champs. Wortham will have a bye the first round so we have scheduled a warm up game with Blum on Monday, October 30th in Wortham at 6:00 to prepare for the playoffs.
Leading Wortham tonight was Kayla Lansford and Ashley Mao. Ashley Mao had 27 kills, 8 aces, 2 blocks and two digs. Kayla Lansford had 25 kills, 12 digs, 7 blocks and 4 aces.
Setter Jayde Hamilton had 24 assist, 10 kills, 7 digs, and two aces.
Rylee Goolsby had 6 kills, 4 blocks and two digs.
Skylar Phillips had 8 kills 2 digs.
Setter Darcy Taylor had 8 assist and 6 digs.
Samantha Wright had 7 assist, 4 kills and 2 aces.
Leading in defense was Libero Hallie Fautt with 21 digs and 2 aces and Megan Whaley with 10 digs.
“I’m so proud of my girls for overcoming the battle they faced tonight,” explains Coach Whaley. “They came from behind most of the night and never gave up. The win after this battle has prepared the Bulldogs to know that they can overcome anything and never give up.”
Coach Whaley concludes, “My girls hold the title of the undefeated district champs with the support of all our Wortham Bulldogs. Our community supports us in every game. I am so proud to be a Wortham Bulldog. I want to send a special thanks to two of our very own high school students that sang the National Anthem tonight, Parker Fautt and Alex Valenzuela. Two juniors that sang acapella that left the
Bulldog Nation in chills.”
