Bulldogs drop opening round match to Dakota Valley

The Madison Bulldogs came up two points shy in each of the first two sets on Thursday, in an opening round loss at the Class A State Volleyball Tournament. Taking on the #2 seed Dakota Valley, the Bulldogs opened up a 5-0 lead in the first set. Madison maintained that lead through most of the set, before watching the Panthers take control late for a 25-23 win. 

Set two saw the Bulldogs in comeback mode. The Panthers repeatedly built up two and three point leads, before Madison would come back to tie the score. The Bulldogs failed to rally at the end of the set however, losing again by the score of 25-23. 

Down two sets to zero, Madison fell behind by as many as nine points in the third set, eventually falling 25-16. Grace Nelson led the Bulldogs with 12 assists and 6 kills. Abby Brooks added 8 kills, and Kendra Leighton 13 digs. Ally Beresford paced the Panthers with 28 assists, 8 kills and 3 aces. 

Dakota Valley advances to the semi-finals, to take on McCook Central/Montrose. The Bulldogs will play Groton in the consolation bracket on Friday at 3:45 central time. That match can be heard on Dakota’s Best, AM 1390.