The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

It was a big week on the volleyball court and the Haxtun Lady Bulldogs delivered. The Lady Bulldogs notched wins over Sedgwick County and Weldon Valley to improve to 16-6 overall.

The two victories moved Haxtun up to number 10 in Colorado High School Activities Association live RPI rankings as of Wednesday morning. The Lady Bulldogs currently hold a seven game win streak.

Haxtun hit the road for both matches over the past week, kicking action off at the home of the Sedgwick County Lady Cougars on Friday night. The Lady Cougars are a topped ranked team in 2A action according to CHSAA rankings. Those stats didn't keep the Lady Bulldogs from showing off as the 1A team picked up a four-set win over the Cougars on their home court.

It is the second time this season the Lady Bulldogs have knocked off the Lady Cougars.

Sedgwick County took set one, 25-17, but the Lady Bulldogs rallied for the final three, 25-15, 25-23 and 25-19, delivering a loss for the Lady Cougars on their annual homecoming night.

Seniors Cassidy Goddard and Megan Walker led the Lady Bulldogs in kills, both registering double digits. Goddard put down 12 kills while Walker added 10. Bobbi Starkebaum added eight kills followed by Maggie Kilgour with six and Jayleigh Bullard with five.

Haxtun had a stellar night at the net on defense, registering a total of 14 blocks throughout four sets. Goddard led with five blocks, Bullard added four and Walker and Starkebaum each tallied three.

Kelsie Hadeen sent over two aces from behind the service line. Emily Anderson added one. Two Lady Bulldogs served 100 percent including Anderson and Goddard.

Hadeen led in the setters position with 16 assists to Lady Bulldog hitters. Megan Walker followed with 14 assists on the night.

From the back row, Julia Freeman tallied 15 digs, the team high, followed by Goddard with 14 and Lilly Lemesany with 10. Anderson and Hadeen each had six and Walker registered five. Three Lady Bulldogs led on serve receive; Freeman tallied 30, Goddard registered 27 and Anderson passed 13.

Just four days later, the Lady Bulldogs returned to the court again, this time at the home of the Lady Warriors of Weldon Valley. The two teams met in tournament play in early September. In that match, the Lady Warriors came out with a win.

This time, it was the Lady Bulldogs who battled for a five-set victory. Weldon Valley picked up a first set win, 25-23, and Haxtun took set two, 25-21, to even things out at 1-1. The Lady Warriors took a close third set, 25-22, but Haxtun was ready to play. The Lady Bulldogs picked up set wins in four and five, 25-22 and 15-11, for the match win.

The win over Weldon Valley moved Haxtun into the top 10 in live RPI rankings as of Wednesday morning.

Top 10 teams, in 1A action in order, are Merino, Stratton, McClave, Simla, Otis, Dove Creek, Idalia, La Veta, Briggsdale and Haxtun.

This week the Lady Bulldogs are set to meet up with Merino in the final regular season match up. Haxtun will host the Lady Rams on Friday.

Merino holds a 20-1 record with a single season loss to Wiggins so far this season.