Bulldogs take bite out of Tiger Cubs

Records can be deceiving, and Thursday night was one of those times. The Monrovia Bulldogs came in with just an 8-9 record against a tough schedule and swept Greencastle in three sets 25-16, 25-20 and 25-17.

The Bulldogs service game was on point to start the match, taking the first seven points. A pair of aces from Madison McCubbins and kills from Shelby Clements and Raegan Stader keyed the start. Greencastle couldn’t find their footing until late in the set as Caroline Gooch and Keely Amis scored three in a row. Kylee Owens added a block, but they could get no closer than eight, falling 25-16.

Set two did not start any better for Greencastle, falling behind 13-2 in the early going. Keirsten Clark had the lone kills in that stretch.

Outstanding all-around play from Madison McCubbins had the Bulldogs rolling. The Cubs showed a lot of grit though, battling back all the way to within four at 24-20. A kill from Stader finished off the rally, giving the Bulldogs a 25-20 set win.

“Our service receive struggled at times under their service pressure. We finished strong in both the first two sets but couldn’t use that momentum.” Tiger Cubs coach Denise Meyer said.

The final set was a battle throughout, with the Cubs battling until the end. Gooch had three kills and an ace from Amis kept the hosts going in the early part of the set. Madi Plew added two kills and Makenzie Creviston added one of her own, but the Tiger Cubs still trailed by two.

Monrovia tightened down the latches and hitters Clements and Stader went to work and were able to close out the victory 25-18 and complete the three set sweep.

Greencastle falls below .500 at 9-10 on the season. Monrovia evened up their record at 9-9. Things will not get easier for the Tiger Cubs as they will take on Danville Monday evening.

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Kills - (G) Gooch 8, Plew 5, Owens 4, Clark 4, Creviston 4, Amis 3, M. Landry 1; (M) Sh. Clements 13, Stader 10, Keen 5, Dowden 5, McCubbins 3, Murrell 1

Blocks - (G) Plew 2, Owens 1, Creviston 1, Amis 1; (M) Clements 1

Aces - (G) M. Landry 2, Plew 1, Beaman 1, York 1; (M) McCubbins 4, Kriech 2, Si. Clements 1, Stader 1, Sh. Clements 1