The intensity levels were sky high as the Dragons entered the Buena Bulldogs’ gym for a cross-town non-league match on Aug. 27. The stands were filled to the brim with screaming Bulldog supporters, trying to rile up and intimidate the six girls on the opposing side of the net. Unfortunately for Buena, the Dragons aren’t so easily spooked.

Even knowing that the Buena volleyball team would be a tough opponent to beat, the Dragons showed no fear and started off the first game strong, with an aggressive serve from Fae Armstrong ‘21. 

The first game was a battle indeed but the Dragons stayed focused and energetic, eventually winning the set 25-20 with a kill by Dylan Mullaney ‘21. The disappointment in the Buena fans was tangible, clearly not used to seeing their team lose.

The Dragons came back to game two prepared and ready to gain a lead, earning the first point off of an out-of-bounds serve by Buena, but the Bulldogs didn’t stay down very long, quickly gaining momentum and catching up. However, with a few powerful swings from Averi Carter ‘21 and killer blocks by Maliah Juker ‘22, the Dragons managed to stay afloat and take the lead in the second game, winning 25-23.

The Dragons were all excitement going into the third game, earning the first four points of the game, consecutively. They stayed in the lead until about halfway into the set, when the Bulldogs tied it up 17-17, prompting a short timeout for Foothill Tech to strategize about how to stay on top.

After the timeout, Buena took a short lead, with the Dragons close behind. Both teams went all out in an attempt to take the third game, which could have ended the match in favor of the Dragons. The Bulldogs swiped the third game out of the Dragon’s grasp, inching their way back into play and gaining confidence for the rest of the match. 

Slightly spooked by the sudden loss, the Dragons shook out the nerves and entered the next game prepared, carefully refocusing on their game plan. 

The fourth game started off rocky for the Dragons. Buena quickly took a large lead, with Foothill too worn to put up a good fight. The Bulldogs took the win 25-18, leaving the Dragons in the dust and tying up the match at 2-2.

“I think we were a little tired today and we just didn’t have the usual energy that we have,” stated Armstrong. 

Entering the fifth and final game of the night, the Dragons fought tooth and nail, giving it their best efforts and leaving everything they had on the court. Eventually, it was the Bulldogs that took the match win with 3-2, finishing game five off at 15-10 due to a large lead at the beginning of the game and the Dragons’ swings that couldn’t find the court.

Coach Kris Gullatt thought the main fault of the Dragons’ gameplay was the girls starting out really well, “and they lost their focus because they were playing well.”

Gullat also mentioned that they would be working on defensive intensity throughout the next couple of practices.

Armstrong left us with these hopeful words for the next game; “hopefully we can get our energy back, work on our defense and just come back swinging.” 

The Dragons will be back on Sept. 3 at their home game, fired up and ready to take on the Camarillo High School Scorpions.