Bryson Cowgirls win opener

news@jacksboronewspapers.com

GARNER – Minus two starters, Bryson’s volleyball team hit the road for its season opener Aug. 9.

The Cowgirls got all they wanted from a Lady Longhorn team looking to make a point vs. the No. 3 team in Class A in its first appearance as a varsity. Still, experience prevailed as Bryson posted a 26-24, 25-10, 22-25, 25-16 victory.

Coach Kim Vela was without the services of seniors Allie Orr and Riley Valliant, both who played significant roles in the Cowgirls’ Small School Shootout win over the weekend (see story, Page 6.), but spoke of how those replacements played well and may be needed at some point.

In their places, Eleanor Neudorf, Braydee Thorne, Emery Fisher and others filled their positions admirably.

Using an 11-point run from senior Tracy Hauger, Bryson jumped out to a 12-0 lead in game one.

Using three aces and an Isabella Moore kill, the Cowgirls appeared to have the hostesses on their heels. Garner slowly got back into the fray with a fourpoint string by Karlie Ashley to know the game at 22. Frontcourt work from Matilee Macie and Jacey Smith help knot the game at 22.

Two more ties ensued before a Hauger kill broke a 24-all tie. Hanna Perez then finished the job with another kill. Perez showed her offensive skills with a 10-point skein in game two as Bryson went up 16-1. Hauger, who opened the game with a five-point run, closed things out with a pair with the finale thrown down by a Perez kill.

Frontcourt work from Perez and Moore enabled Bryson to get out to an 8-1 lead in game three. Garner continually broke serve and used runs from Cambrea Boswell and Jenna Hallmark to take its first lead of the match at 23-21.

Bryson tried to close but the Lady ‘Horns slammed the door to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-five match.

In game four, it was the visitors that slammed the door. Hauger opened with a four-point run while Fisher served up seven in a row to put the lead into double figures at 13-2. Moore had a pair of kills in the game as well.