Bulldogs improve to 22-4 after finally returning home

Article by Greg Jaklewicz

Photos Courtesy of TexPix.com

Wylie PA announcer Andy Penney had the right music ready at the right time at Tuesday night’s volleyball team.

After blowing out Midland Christian 25-9 in the first set, Wylie coach Shay Cox substituted liberally. The result was allowing the Mustangs to gain confidence and give the Bulldogs a battle before the home team closed out the non-district match with 25-21 and 27-25 wins.

It was the first home match for Wylie after 25 on the road - more than 2,600 mile and 11 gyms by Cox’s count. Tuesday’s 3-0 win boosted the team’s record to 22-4.

The Bulldogs take on Abilene Christian on Thursday, also at home.

“It was so good to finally have our first home game,” senior Logan Hill said. “Have a good crowd, have our parents. Get to decorate instead of being on the road all the time.

First-Home-Game Energy

Cox said her effort to play all her girls and first home game excitement made for an entertaining match.

“First home game … there’s jitters there. You have the student section and grandparents and on down to see you. So we expected a little of that,” Cox said. “We came out on fire and that was a lot of fun.

“Then we moved to the other side of the court and you never know if you’re going to hang onto that momentum. I am so glad that we pushed and came from behind so many times.”

The Comeback Soundtrack

Down 20-14 in the second set, Wylie went on a run with senior Logan Hill at the serving line. Penney played Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” during a timeout as Wylie stormed back to take a 23-20 lead.

In the third set, Midland Christian got to set point at 24-23 and tied the set at 25-25. Penney lent support with Jackson’s “Working Day and Night” and the Bee-Gees classic “Stayin’ Alive” after Wylie avoided a loss with Kiki Bolden’s point to make it 24-all, then closed it out.

Midland Christian, with only a 7-10 record, proved to be a game opponent. The Mustangs made Wylie work for the win.

Cox credited the Mustangs’ players, such as hard-hitting senior Jordyn Hamilton, with strong play.

“They were looking for the shots and they were messing with our block timing. They were doing what they could,” she said. “But I am super glad we took control of it.”

A Test Worth Having

Truthfully, a competitive match was better for Wylie than blowing out its opponent.

“Honestly, with a team like this, we want to give everyone an opportunity to play because there won’t be opportunities” as Wylie down the road relies on its stock of Division I talent, Hill said. “We know that with anyone on the court, our mental mindset can help us pull through anything.”

Wylie Sets the Tone

Set 1 showed Wylie was the better team as 6-foot-3 Haddie Mock tallied three of her team’s first six points and a 6-0 lead. The closest Midland Christian would get was 12-6 before Wylie ended the match with a 13-3 run.

Mock had her moments, as did super spiker Bolden. But junior D’Nae Dolton certainly showed what she can do. On any other team, she’d be the go-to girl.

After their Set 1 win, Wylie didn’t get off to good starts. Midland Christian led 3-0 in Set 2 and took the lead again at 8-7. The Mustangs wouldn’t give up the lead until Wylie’s 9-point run. It was two shots that went long that finally did in the visitors.

Wylie seemed ready to end the match early in Set 3 but, again, Midland Christian came back. The Mustangs led 13-10 before Wylie took the lead on a winner from Dolton. The Bulldogs went up 20-17 but here came Midland Christian to tie it a 21 and then take a 23-21 lead.

Wylie defended its house, however, to secure the match.

Finding a Way to Finish

Cox doesn’t want her team to make a habit of needing to rally.

“I think sometimes we have the confidence that we can do it … I’m not saying we let ourselves get behind but we expect to ‘Hey let’s go. Let’s get it together.’”

There’s No Place Like Home

Mock and Hill relished the home opener.

“People have just heard about it,” Hill said of her team’s fast start. “They’re like ‘No way you did this, no way you did that.’ We finally get to prove ourselves.”

Mock said three weeks on the road is wearing.

“It’s great to be back home. It’s so tiring,” she said. “I love playing at home because of the student section and my parents get to be in the bleachers. And my grandparents are here. I definitely like playing at home.

“The energy they bring, especially the student section, definitely helps a lot.”

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