Photo by Doc Smith Ariel Hamby (right) and Calli Miller (left) go up for to make a combined block over Gilmer in the win of the final home game last Tuesday. For the game story on the Tuesday bi-district playoff game against Rusk see next week's edition of the Bullard Banner Sports. The Lady Panthers just wanted you to remember the last game of the year in their new gym with some added excitement in their final home game with a 3-0 win over Gilmer last Tuesday night at Panther gymnasium.

The Lady Panthers (21-7; 8-2), celebrated 'Senior Night', blasting through two wins, before turning around an eightpoint deficit to win a third game marathon, 28-26 to earn the district finale.

After sweeping the first two games over Gilmer, the Bullard Lady Panthers found themselves with a test for game three. The comeback for the sweep may hopefully be a springboard for upcoming playoffs according to head coach, Kala Laningham.

"The final game we let up at the first of the match, and we all pulled together and made a great run that I hope the girls can turn that into some positive confidence for the playoffs," the Bullard second-year head coach began.

In a pre-game presentation, Bullard began the night honoring Wyoming-bound, Calli Miller and Angela Hill, the two lone seniors and their families with roses, gifts and crowns for their senior 'Queens.'

The duo showed their appreciation with huge roles in the Lady Panther wins of 25- 17, 25-9, and 28-26.

Game one started with a 3- 0 Bullard run and it was never any closer through out the first match.

Ariel Hamby served up and made back-to-back service points as Bullard took their biggest lead at 25-10.

Gilmer jumped out 3-0 in game two, but it was all Bullard after they tied the game 3-3, on a 'Mill-Kill' by captain Calli Miller. Another 'Mill-Kill' spread the later lead to 17-7, while Valarie Roberts, and Elisia Coleman added in pointspankings to the Lady Buckeyes as Bullard cruised 25-9.

The third game was paced by Gilmer from the onset and Bullard stayed within striking distance. The game was tied at 9-9, and then again at 23-23, when the rest of the game included another tie at 24-, a lead change before 26-, and Hamby stepped to the service line for Bullard once again.

Hamby was dead-on with her service spot calls from Coach Laningham from the bench, while Miller, Roberts and Coleman took turns banging out the game-winning bombs for the 28-26, extended game-ender.

"I was really proud of the way the girls pulled together in that third game and turned it around and in to a win," said Laningham after the game. "The fight and intensity just turned up a notch and they knew they could do it if they played their game and attacked the way they are capable. It was a really fun thing to watch, and I was so proud of them for sticking with it the way they did."

"We had another night of great individual efforts by Calli (Miller), Valarie (Roberts), Elisia ('Nikki') Coleman, Angela (Hill), Brittany (Glover), and Madison Moore with five assists, seven digs, one service ace. Ariel Hamby played a good all-round game for us too."

Hamby finished with two kills, eight service points, one block and a dink, rounding out the all-round team victory.

Bullard's first-year setter, Heather Camp made 31 assists in the game, giving the junior 529 assists on the season thus far.

Adding to the Lady Buckeyes woes were Valarie Roberts pounding out 12 kills, with 22 digs and five service aces for Bullard. Elisia Coleman added another 13 digs to go with six kills to aid in the win.

Laningham continued about her first year setter, and said that according to some pre-season reports, setting was going to be a big problem for the Lady Panthers this season.

"Heather (Camp), for a first year setter to have 529 for the year is just amazing," the mentor added," but she has really stepped up and done a great job of distributing the ball to where the plays are called, and I hope those preseason reporters give her the just due deserved."

Ditto………coach!

The Lady Panthers were led by the two seniors as usual by Miller with 15 kills, 11 digs, three service aces and two solo blocks. Hill made 12 points from service, adding in 11 digs, four kills and two aces.

Gilmer (14-28; 4-6), ends their playoff hopes with the loss.

Bullard won the junior varsity game 2-1, by scores of 23- 25, 25-12, and 25-9. The Lady Panthers swept the freshmen game in two games, 25-12, and 25-22.

The bi-district scenario came down to Rusk beating Huntington for third-place in District 18-3A play last Tuesday night. The bi-district game was played at Lon Morris College, on Tuesday night. For game results, see the next issue of the Bullard Banner News.