MHS girls drop 2 matches

By Sam Waller

The Moran Lady Bulldogs dropped both of their varsity volleyball matches, while the junior high team opened its season last week.

On Aug. 31, the Lady Bulldogs lost 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 at home to Gustine.

“They showed a lot of improvement from when we played Gustine Aug. 17,” coach Jo Hise said. “They hustled for every point.”

On Saturday, Moran lost 25-13, 25-17, 21-25, 25-10 in a District 2-6A match at Newcastle. Hise said extending the match after falling behind 2-0 was a significant step for her team.

Hannah Rogers served the last six points in a row to help Moran win the third set. Vivi Green served for five points in the third set.

In the second set, Johnnie Hise served seven consecutive points.

“We worked on pass-set-hit, and Johnnie had several good hits,” said the coach.

She commended middle blockers Emily Murk, Harmony Slaughter, and Alyssa Allred for adjusting to Newcastle’s attack.

“That was our first time seeing a short set with a quick hit, and we made that adjustment,” Hise said. “

The Lady Bulldogs (2-9 overall, 1-1 district) hosted Albany on Tuesday. Moran is scheduled to play road matches Saturday at Hawley and Tuesday at Rising Star before returning home to face Strawn on Sept. 18.

Junior High

The junior high team opened its season Aug. 31 with a 25-22, 25-19 loss at home to Abilene Christian.

“My eighth graders really stepped up and showed a lot of leadership that game," Hise said. “There are three eighth graders and a couple of seventh graders, but everybody else is fairly new to volleyball.”

Moran played the Albany seventh grade team on Tuesday. The team’s next match will be next Tuesday at Rising Star.