Bulldogs Edge Fusion In Five

The Bainville Bulldogs had their backs against the wall, but they came through in the final set for a hard-fought conference victory over Richey/Lambert on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Bainville won the senior night match by a final margin of 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 16-25, 1512.

We pulled out a tough one on an emotional night for the girls. I give a lot of credit to Richey Lambert, they have improved significantly since the first time we played,” Bainville Coach Kallie Clarke said. “They served very tough and played to win while we got a little tight as the match went on. I think our senior leadership carried us through.”

After seeing the Fusion battle back to force a fifth set, the Bulldogs enjoyed a good start in the deciding set by scoring the first nine points. Highlights included three kills by Hailey Berwick, a tip by Lila Butikofer and an ace by Chandi Johnson.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 12-4 on a kill by Berwick and a block by Casey Myers. The Fusion fought back on a kill by Addison Foss and ace by Jolee Klempel, Bainville earned a 14-8 lead thanks to a pair of kills by Jaylynn Bjorge.

Richey/Lambert continued to stay alive with the next four points to pull to 14-12 before the Bulldogs accounted for the last point.

In the first set, the Bulldogs gained a 19-13 advantage with the net play of Berwick and Johnson leading the way. The Fusion responded with a kill by Klempel, but Bainville moved ahead 23-14 on a spike and a back-row kill by Berwick.

The Fusion came as close as 24-18 before another backrow kill by Berwick ended the opening set.

Bainville started on a strong note in the second set as the serving of Butikofer along with plays by Addison Hansen put the margin at 7-1.

Bjorge accounted for two nice kills to put the margin at 10-3. A block by Jade Boese Robbins helped the Fusion cut the gap to 11-7.

The Bulldogs stayed in the lead at 17-9 on spikes by Berwick and Hansen. Richey/ Lambert fought back to 18--14 on kills by Robbins and Brooke Lien along with aces by Foss and Lydia Hull. Aces by Tayen Carda and kills by Klempel kept the Fusion close at 23-18, but a kill by Berwick helped Bainville win the second set by a 25-20 margin.

Strong attacks by Klempel led the Fusion to a 21-17 advantage in the third set. After Bainville struck for three straight points, the Fusion won the set with the next four points including a kill by Foss.

The Fusion then earned a 25-16 victory in the fourth set. The last point came on a kill by Klempel.

Berwick finished with 23 kills and 12 digs. Butikofer had four kills, 37 assist, three aces and 13 digs.

Bjorge accounted for six kills, three digs and a block. Siena Martinez had 13 digs.

Myers scored four aces and 16 digs. Hansen had one ace and two blocks. Johnson finished with six kills, three digs and a block. Johnna Ryder added 14 digs.

Bainville opened the week with a 25-11, 25-15, 25-10 road victory over Froid/Lake.

Berwick had 14 kills, two aces and a block. Martinez added an ace and nine digs.

Myers finished with seven kills, an ace and 10 digs. Bjorge accounted for six kills and two digs.

Butikofer finished with 34 assists, four kills and six digs. Hansen scored eight kills and two aces. Johnson had four kills, five aces and two blocks.