IOTA – The Iota Lady Bulldogs have been impressive to say the least during the early stretch of the 2012 prep volleyball season.

The Lady Dogs started the year on a 7-0 run before hitting a speed bump and losing back-to-back games to Breaux Bridge and Ascension Episcopal.

Since then, however, the Lady Dogs have regrouped and, with a three-set victory over Westminster on Tuesday, they have now won nine straight games to improve to 16-2 on the season.

Playing on their homecourt for just the third time this year, the Lady Dogs battled to a 25-21 victory over the visiting Lady Crusaders in the first set, claimed a 25-14 victory in the second set and then closed out the match with a 25-11 victory.

Madison Meche led the Lady Dogs offensively with eight kills and three aces. Kaylee Richard followed with seven kills while Taylor DeVille and Erika Manuel each had four kills. 

Mallory Faul set up the offense with 22 assists while Claire LeJeune and Melinda Russell led the team in digs with 26 and 22, respectively. Russell also had three aces.

The Lady Dogs currently sit at No. 3 in the LHSAA’s unofficial Division IV power ratings with a ranking of 10.23. 

John Curtis leads the division (10.50) and De La Salle is second (10.42). Notre Dame is currently at No. 4 with a ranking of 10.21.

The Lady Dogs return to action today when they play host to Crowley High at 5:30 p.m.

NCS drops district opener

The Northside Christian Lady Warriors opened up district play Tuesday with a straight-set loss to Ascension Episcopal.

Natalie Hayes led the Lady Dogs with five kills, seven digs and two aces. Mallary Vincent followed with three kills, 24 digs and one ace while Kathryn Zaunbrecher had three kills, three digs and two blocks.

Also contributing for the Lady Warriors were Maddison Conrad (2 kills, 7 digs, 2 aces, 4 assists), Madisyn Clement (2 kills, 6 digs, 4 assists), Mia Mier (2 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace, 1 assist), Kristen Spell (1 kill, 1 dig, 1 ace) and Leah Monte (1 kill, 27 digs).

Other action

Just over a week ago, Teurlings lost a two-set decision to Notre Dame in the Ursuline tournament.

On Tuesday, the Lady Rebels got their revenge with a straight-set victory over the Lady Pios at the Rebel Dome.

The loss, Notre Dame’s fourth in its last five games, sent the Lady Pios to 14-5 on the season

The Crowley Ladies defeated Northwest on Monday, 25-13, 25-16, 25-21.

Unfortunately, stats from those two games were not turned in by the schools.