By Kyle Roberts
District 2-I is a wrap, folks.
The Ruston Lady Bearcats (19-6) swept their way to a district title Tuesday night in the Ruston Sports Complex by final scores of 25-11, 25-11 and 25-9 over the Alexandria Senior High Lady Trojans.
“It feels great,” Ruston head coach Mandy Cauley said after the win and securing the district crown. “We didn’t drop a set all district and that feels good. I’m proud for my seniors and proud of what they were able to accomplish. I told them from the beginning that I thought this was a special group that do some special things this year.”
For Tuesday, the dominant trifecta of senior middles Jade Smith and Hannah Rollins along with junior outside hitter Harper Cauley combined for 26 kills and seven blocks on the night against an ASH team that had no answers.
“They were dominant; they really were,” Cauley said. “That goes back to good setting and good passing; that was able to keep our offense doing what it needed to do. I want to give (freshman setter Baylor Cauley) some credit. Having somebody that can put the ball in position where they can execute they way they do.”
After a close first set, the Lady Bearcats pulled away from the Lady Trojans with a 5-0 run capped off with a monster kill by junior outside hitter Harper Cauley to take a 10-4 lead. ASH would take a timeout to attempt to quell the run, but Ruston would only extend the lead throughout the set and won 25-11.
In set two, ASH would take an 8-3 lead early before Ruston answered with a 10-0 run that included four kills and two blocks by Rollins to give Ruston a 13-8 lead. The Lady Bearcats would outscore the Lady Trojans 22-8 after trailing early to take the second set 25-11.
The third set was never in doubt as Ruston cruised to a 25-9 win.
The Lady Bearcats not only went undefeated in district play, they not once dropped a set during any district match.
“I believe in the team and the team believes in each other,” Cauley said. “It’s just a cohesive energy of everybody wanting to get better and striving to be better. We’ve got people staying late and coming in early, and they’re committed to the process.”
Smith led the way with 10 kills and three blocks, while Harper Cauley totaled nine kills. Rollins added seven kills with five aces.
Baylor Cauley finished with 27 assists on the night.
Ruston High returns to action Saturday, Oct. 14, for the Ruston Quad home tournament at the Ruston Sports Complex.
