Lady Bulldogs work toward playoffs

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs volleyball team kept its playoff hopes alive Saturday with a four-set victory over Rising Star.

Entering their Tuesday match at Strawn, the Lady Bulldogs were tied with Newcastle for third place among District 6-2A’s Class 1A members at 4-4. The top three teams qualify for the playoffs.

Moran started last week with a three-set loss to Hawley on Oct. 12, a match that didn’t count in the district standings because Hawley is on the 2A side of the district.

On Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs defeated Rising Star 15-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17. Hannah Rogers and Harmony Slaughter were the leading servers for Moran.

“It just took us awhile to wake up,” Lady Bulldogs coach Jo Hise said. “We finally got our act together and played ball.”

Hise said Moran had to come together and play its game to complete the comeback.

“We had lots of good volleys with them and were able to finish off the points.”

The Lady Bulldogs host Ranger on Saturday and Woodson on Tuesday to close out the regular season.

Cross Country

Moran finished fourth in the varsity girls team standings at the District 13-1A meet on Oct. 13 at Eula. Johnnie Hise finished 14th to lead the team.

“Most of the girls improved their times from the start of the season,” Jo Hise said. “We’re very proud of the progress everybody made.”