Mustangs down Bulldogs, Tigers to improve record to 4-1

By Scott Bidroski

Following an opening week that had the Mustangs winning 2 of 3 matches, the team turned their attention to a pair of Western Trails Conference teams in a triangular on Tuesday, August 29.

Bridgeport played host for the triangular and the Mustangs took the floor against the Bulldogs first.

These two teams turned in an instant classic, as the match-up proved to be very even.

The Bulldogs took control late in set number 1, winning by the score of 25-21. 

In set 2, the Mustangs found themselves down 16-11 and on the edge of a possible loss. But the team mounted the comeback it needed to win the set and move on to a decisive set number 3.

The momentum continued for the blue and orange as they rolled in the final set, 25-19, to secure the win.

Seniors McKinley Grover and Haley Johnson each tallied 7 kills a piece in the win. Fellow senior Trinity Taylor returned to the court and made an immediate splash with 6 kills and 4 blocks.

Junior Rylie Shultz was leading the charge with her passing, picking up 23 assists.

Another WTC opponent was awaiting the Mustangs following the win and was looking to flip the momentum to their side.

A strong start would put a stop to that, as the Mustangs came out strong with a 25-20 set one victory.

The Tigers would respond though in set two, taking down the Mustangs 25-22 to force a third set.

This was the sixth and final set for the team on the day and they saved the best for last.

It was all Mustangs in this decisive set as they cruised to the 25-12 victory and the 2-0 mark on the day.

The match was not only a solid win for G-R but one of the young ladies would set a record in the process. 

Johnson tallied 15 digs in the match which pushed her career totals to 766 career digs. Former Mustang Reaghan Shultz who had the previous mark of 755 career digs.

Other top performers included junior Emma Martins found her groove, sending down 13 shots for kills. 

Shultz continued her strong play at setter as well, tallying another 26 assists.

Following their matches in Bridgeport, the team headed home for quick turnaround the following day.

The Mustangs loaded up the bus the following to take a trip to Lincoln, Neb. for Volleyball Day at Memorial Stadium.

The event turned into something momentous, as the crowd of 92,003 that were in attendance set a world record for the most individuals to attend a women’s sporting event.

As this new week starts, the team is ready to get back to the floor once again.

A road contest at Bayard will be the first match for the team on Thursday, September 7.

They will then follow that up with their first home event of the season; the G-R Quad Tournament.

The Mustangs will welcome in Hyannis, Hay Springs, and Crawford on Saturday, September 9. The first serve will be at 9:00 a.m. that day and matches will continue into the afternoon.