Wednesday night Sept. 12 was a big night for NCOE Volleyball at Price Gym as the Harrisburg Bulldogs came to play.

In the first set, the Cards dominated in a big way as they won 25-9. In that set, Halle Everett gained her 1,000th kill and was recognized between sets for that achievement.

“Halle is the only player in NCOE history to reach this mark,” Melton said.

The second set Harrisburg’s defense came alive and they began to return the Cardinal hits and the Bulldogs won 21-25. So the teams went a third set and on the varsity level they go to 25. The Cards settled down and did not panic as they dominated offensively to win 25-14.

“It was good for us to be pushed,” Melton stated. At the serving line Emilee Bishop led with 13 points.

“Emilee played with a bruised hand in that third set but didn’t say a thing until the match was over,” Melton said. “She’s tough,” she added.

Abby Black followed with 8 and Sophie Neal had six. Tori Karnes had 5, as Everett and Baylee Sutton each had four, and Mattie Wells had 3.

Offensively, Everett led with 16 kills. Bishop and Evie Duncan recorded six each.

“We were glad to welcome Evie back to the lineup,” Coach Melton said. Duncan had sprained her ankle the week before, during the NCOE Invitational. Neal had four kills and Kennedy Cook 3. Wells ran the offense with 27 assists in 87 sets. Bishop and Cook had two apiece.

It was a busy night defensively, as Neal led with 10 digs, Wells had 9 digs and Sutton 8. Seven digs were recorded by Bishop. Karnes had 6, Everett four, Black 3 and Duncan 2. Also, Everett had 6 blocks to worry the Bulldog attack as Bishop, Cook and Duncan had one each.

The Varsity Cards are now 9-0 and off until Monday when they face Wayne City.

The Jr Varsity was also successful against the Bulldogs, as they won 25-19, 25-19.

“The girls hit their zones well and improved their passing,” Coach Cathy Black said.

Kilee Roser led the serving with 9 and Hallie Roper had 8. Erin Wicker had six. Tori Karnes and Meagan Healy had 4 apiece.

Jadyn Ash had a good night at the net with 12 kills and Healy followed with 7. Roper had four kills, with Roser and Wicker each recording one.

Defense was big also with Black having 8 digs and Karnes 7. Wicker and Healy had 5 apiece. Roser had 3 and Ash one. Roper had one block.

The JV Cards are now 4-4 on the season.