BROWNSBORO – The Bullard Lady Panthers for the first time in tournament as BHS head coach Kala Morrow said best, “the RIGHT side of the tournament bracket play,’ started off with a win and eventually took third-place at the Brownsboro Volleyball Tournament this past week.

“Starting off with a win was big for us, and the two teams we lost two are going to be state-ranked before the year is out,” said four-year coach, Kala Morrow. “But with district starting in a few weeks, I was really pleased with some of the things we are finally getting done on the floor. Our service work was outstanding throughout the tournament.”

In pool play, Mineola, Mildred and Kaufman were grouped with the Lady Panthers.

The first game with Mineola was a twogame sweep 25-20, and 25-20, led by the service work of Raiven Whatley and Kylee Nichols (5 aces).

The same held true for game two against Mildred, as Bullard swept with scores of 25-11 and 25-10. Nikki Fuller and Shidler had big games upfront and from service. Shidler pounded out 12 kills in the win.

Kaufman, was a great match but a different verdict, losing 25-14, 20-25, and a thrilling but disappointing 16-18 setback to advance to the championship bracket.

New district foe and tourney host Brownsboro was a 2-1 win for Bullard, 20- 25, 25-23, and 15-7. Whatley and Nichols had four aces apiece and Whatley added five kills.

A great defensive effort was made by BHS as five players scrambled for at least five digs apiece.

Bullard next faced Rains and a 6’5” frontline player that proved to be a difference maker.

Rains won game one 22-25, BHS took the second game 25-19 before a 11-15 Rains win sent the Lady Panthers to the Third Place game of the Championship Bracket.

Facing All Saints, a team that took BHS five games earlier in the week, Cassaundra Braaten, joined in with Whatley, Nichols, and Fuller to win the third-place honors.

Bullard won in two straight games, 25- 15 and 25-16.

Braaten and Fuller had four kills each, Nichols served up five aces, and eight digs. Whatley set the offense with a team high 10 assists.

Up next is a contest in Whitehouse against Spring Hill, before a battle At Westwood on Friday night before the football game between the same two Panther teams.

District play begins at home, on Saturday, Sept. 25 against Rusk.