Bulldogs Loose A Heartbreaker

Nov 4

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

For the second time in two weeks it was the Deer River Warriors who would come back in a match against the Carlton Bulldogs in girls volleyball as the Warriors ended Carlton’s season in dramatic fashion Wednesday night at Hermantown High School.

Deer River and Carlton battled in a five game match, which had the entire gymnasium on their feet in the fifth game; as Bulldogs would fall to the Warriors in the section 7A semi final matchup. Both teams were deserving of a win, however Deer River would get the last break and the victory.

In the first game, Deer River built an early 11-4 lead and cruised to the win 25-17. Carlton had many unforced errors in the first game which proved to be the difference in the eight point Warrior win.

Head coach Barb Soukkala told Northland Sports Online before the contest that “we need to make sure we do the little things right tonight, and make sure we don’t make too many mistakes that cost us in the end.” Soukkala added “the girls are ready to play and I am hoping for a better outcome then the last time we met.”

The Warriors would jump out in game two and build an 11-4 lead before the Bulldogs battled back to tie the game at 11-11. McKenzie Belanger served out for the Bulldogs as they made five straight points and pull away for the 25-20 win.

The third game was a close fought contest with eleven ties during the game, with the game tied at 15-15 Katie Bloom delivered three kills for the Bulldogs and Sarah Aili along with Tayler Carpenter had several kills down the stretch to help Carlton win the third game 25-21.

With their back against the wall the Warriors stormed back in the fourth game of the match, jumping out to a 9-3 lead. The Bulldogs were not going to give up though as they came back to tie the game at 10-10, but from there on out it was all Deer River as the won the fourth game 25-14 to tie the match at two games apiece.

With all of the excitement that high school sports brings the fans in attendance were treated to a classic extended length fifth game as Deer River pulled out the 20-18 win. The game featured ten ties, four lead changes, several outstanding kills, blocks, and digs by both teams. Carlton fell behind several times in the fifth game but never gave up and fought until the bitter end. With the Warriors leading 19-18 a Deer River serve was returned out of bounds and the fifth game ended as the Warriors ran on the floor, triumphant in their win.

One fan watching the contest summed it up best when he said “we witnessed a classic battle here tonight, it’s a shame someone has to lose a contest like that.” That fan in the stands was Hibbing Community College head Volleyball Coach Mike Turnbull.

The heartbreaking loss Wednesday ends the Bulldogs season at 17-12 overall. Deer River improves their overall record to 25-7 overall. The Warrior will be seeking to make a return trip to the state tournament of Saturday when they will face Nashwauk-Keewatin. The Spartans upset Cook County in the earlier section 7A Semi-Final.

Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate the seniors on the Bulldogs roster. These five girls have brought excellence on and off the court; we wish all the future success to Katrina Anderson, Katie Bloom, Brittney Zime, Sarah Aili, and Tayler Carpenter.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com