Bryson VB wins in five games

MIDLOTHIAN – One down, one step to go.

After a visit to the Regional volleyball tournament last year ended rather quickly in disappointment in the semifinals, Bryson’s volleyball team was hoping a change in venue and a new year would mean better things.

It did, as the Cowgirls overcame an early scare with the lossAbbott and return of senior outside hitter Sydney Davidson and a game Abbott squad to help Bryson win a thriller 20-25, 25-8, 25-19, 20-25, 19-17 at MHS Arena.

Bryson will face Saint Jo in Saturday’s Region II-A Final at noon. The Lady Panthers defeated Blum in five games. Bryson defeated Saint Jo in four games to reach the regional tournament a year ago.

Bryson got out quickly in the match, which lasted 1:56. Leading 6-2, Davidson took a tumble on the floor and had to be helped back to the training room but she would return.

The Cowgirls looked out of sorts the rest of the game, however, even after Davidson’s return with Abbott leading 18-16. Bryson would get no closer than one.

The out of sorts was shortlived, as a Davidson kill tied the game at one to set the stage from Kayleigh Pippin’s 11-point string as the Cowgirls led 12-1. Davidson’s kill and a block helped keep the string going. Pairs from Alyssa Perez and Davidson helped extend the lead followed by a three-point Brinkley Richardson string to set up game point.

Richardson’s pair put the Cowgirls up 3-0 in game three. Abbott took the lead before a Davidson kill allowed Perez to serve up a point to give Bryson the lead at 12-11.

Davidson showed her serving skills with a four-point run for a 17-12 lead. Victoria Goodman’s pair put the Cowgirls up five at 20-15 before a Maddee Moore kill ended the game and had the Cowgirls up 2-1.

Abbott was not ready to go quietly, taking an early lead in game four and slowly expanding it to force a game five, which was a dandy.

The Lady Panthers jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Pippin knotted the game at three. Singles by Hayle Leatherwood and Davidson put Bryson up 7-5 and forced an Abbott respite.

The timeout worked as Abbott went back up 9-8 and eventually took a 12-9 lead. Bryson broke serve before Richardson rolled off three in a row, with some help from a Davidson kill to take a 13-12 lead.

Abbott went up 15-14 only to have a Davidson block tie the game. Leatherwood forced a match point with a point put home by a Davidson dink at 16-15.

The Panthers tied the game two more times before Bryson broke serve and put home the final dagger to end the match.