Volleyball returns to the Dawg House

by "Big" Joe Lombardi 

Cup O' Joe 

Set! Spike! Repeat!

A few seasons back, those three commands appeared on the Copperas Cove Lady Dawg volleyball team’s practice shirts. It was a mantra for what the game is all about and the players took it very seriously.

Team members still do, as evidenced by the show they put on Saturday during Cove’s annual scrimmage tournament against Waco High, Leander Glenn and Liberty Hill’s Lady Panthers, who’ll return to Bulldawg Gym for our regular season opener tonight.

Once all the dust cleared Saturday, head coach Cari Lowery said she felt Copperas Cove played pretty well in their three 45-minute matches, after having only four days of practice time, no tournaments to gain experience and making sure that all were following the University Interscholastic League’s COVID-19 guidelines, such as all coaches and team members must wear masks on the bench. If caught doing otherwise, any team could face the UIL’s wrath, but after hearing game officials lay down the law to each coach beforehand, everybody will likely toe the line.

In tonight’s contest, the Lady Dawgs will face a Liberty Hill team that is also short on experience. Both squads have only four seniors who must step up and provide leadership. The Panthers appear to have a size advantage, which the Lady Dawgs will counter with aggressive defense, like throwing your body on the floor to dig up a return opportunity.  We saw plenty of that Saturday.

This match could turn into a real slobberknocker.

“I like playing Liberty Hill,” Lowery said.  “They go deep in the playoffs every year and it’s always a good game.”

Yes, m’am, that’s what we’re looking for on the hallowed hardwood of Bulldawg Gym.

It’s time once again to Set! Spike! Repeat!

Go Dawgs!