LDVB gets back in the win column; Dawgs fall at Belton
From staff reports
The Copperas Cove Lady Dawgs shook off their third district loss in four attempts to earn a four-set road win over the Belton Lady Tigers Friday night in Belton.
The Bulldawgs’ football team wasn’t as fortunate as two early turnovers and some second-half miscues prevented them from notching their first district win against the Tigers.
A game-high 30-dig performance and an 11-kill, 13-block evening by Copperas Cove juniors Emma Wasiak and Kyra Gaston, respectively, helped the Lady Dawgs get back into the win column with a 3-1 win (25-21, 12-25, 25-22,25-20) and move their season record to 6-5 overall, 4-3 in District 12-6A.
Senior Larissa Melendez and junior Jiya Edwards added eight kills each while sophomore Jakhi Smith paced the offense with 22 assists followed by senior Emily Vanderpoel with 16.
Following Gaston’s front line defense were Melendez (4) senior Jasmine Davis (3) and junior Jamesia Moody (3). Senior Jae Rogers added 13 digs followed by Smith (10).
The Lady Dawgs travel to Bryan tonight to face a Lady Vikings team that pushed the Lady Dawgs to five sets in the District 12-6A opener.
Bulldawgs’ miscues cost them in 26-14 loss to Tigers
Two early turnovers and some late miscues prevented the Bulldawgs from earning their first district win Friday night on the road against the Belton Tigers.
The Tigers converted the second first-quarter fumble by the Bulldawgs into points to take a 14-7 lead into the halftime break and a slip in the Cove secondary left Belton senior all alone for a 68-yard touchdown catch from senior quarterback Ruben Jimenez for a 26-7 Belton lead with 1:40 left in the third quarter.
The Tigers opened the third quarter with a methodical, 15-play scoring drive capped by a one-yard Jimenez score to push their lead to two scores, 20-7.
After a defensive stand by the Bulldawgs on 4th and 17 at the Cove 25, junior quarterback Shane Richey added his own one-yard touchdown to bring Cove back with two scores, 26-14, with 6:15 left in regulation.
The defense managed another stop on the Tigers next possession but couldn’t translate it into points on the other end for the 26-14 final.
After falling behind 14-0 to start the contest, the Bulldawgs narrowed the Belton lead to just seven with a four-play scoring drive highlighted by runs of 21 and 53 yards by senior Brandon Ortega that set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Richey to senior wideout Russel Cochran with 1:09 left in the first half.
The Bulldawgs (1-4, 0-2 in 12-6A) host Shoemaker (4-0, 2-0) for military night Friday at Bulldawg Stadium.
Lady Pups sweep South Belton
The 7B team started of the night with an win against South Belton. They played like a team and it showed on the court. They finished the night 25-16 and 25-22. Player of the game went to Jaselle Evans for her digs.
The 7A team also finished victorious against South Belton. The girls played with execution and composure. Scores were 25-15 and 25-17. Player of the game went to Mya Klenclo for her setting and serving.
The 8B team won in three sets. They took game one easily and won 25-17. Belton adjusted and won game two 26-24. Game three, Cove rallied and took the lead early to secure the 17-15 win. Player of the game was Haily Cazarez for her aggressiveness and communication on the court.
The 8A completed the clean sweep by beating South Belton 25-15 and 25-19. Jaiden Frost and Joy Grier were players of the game for the work they put in at the net.