By Rodrick Anderson

American Press

A day after their first district loss, Barbe bounced back to beat rival Sulphur in four sets and stay a game behind Southside in Division I, District 3.

Barbe won 25-14, 25-16, 21-25, 25-13.

“We just took the mistakes that we made yesterday against Southside and learned from them and made sure we didn’t make the same mistakes over and over again,” Barbe head coach Katie Franks said. “We just capitalized on what we knew.”

The Bucs need a win over Carencro on Tuesday and Southside (17-5, 4-0) to lose one of their two remaining district game to get a piece of the district title.

The win will help boost the Bucs’ spot in the power rankings with 10 days left in the regular season. The Bucs (23-11, 4-1) are ranked 11th in Division I right behind the Tors (22-14, 3-1).

“We don’t have much time left and it is crazy,” Franks said. “When August was here, we were like when is the season starting?

“But now it’s like the season is already almost over and it’s gone by too fast. I feel like we’re on a good run going into the playoffs right now.”

Serving was the key for the Bucs early. After the Tors took a 6-5 lead on a kill by Kendall Judge, the Bucs went on a 10-2 lead powered by two aces by Kennedi Burks. The second set went from a 2-2 tie to a 10-2 Barbe lead after Jane Casanova served five aces.

“That’s something we’ve been talking about working on,” Franks said. “What’s the risk versus reward?

“But we did a very good job serving tonight and keeping them on their toes.”

Barbe used it outside hitting in the first three sets and was able to expand to the middle of the court in the fourth set. Middle hitter Danyele Wallace helped the Bucs build up an early 6-2 lead with three kills. She had five of her 10 kills in the fourth set. Outside hitter Burks had 11 kills and 22 digs.

“She stepped up,” Franks said. “We started being consistent and being able to get her the ball some more.”

After struggling in the first two sets, the Tors improved defensively in the third set. After some back and forth, Sulphur took a 14-13 lead on a kill by Jillian Gaudet. Three kills from Judge helped the Tors build their largest lead of the match, 21-15. Judge finished with 15 kills.

Barbe 25-25-21-25

Sulphur 14-16-25-13

Sulphur (22-14, 3-1). Barbe (23-11, 4-1): Kennedi Burks (11 kills, 22 digs, 3 aces), Danyele Wallace (10 kills), Madilyn Areno (15 assists, 17 digs), Morgan David (11 assists), Aubrey Goff (5 kills, 9 digs), Ann Kat Barrett (17 digs), Jane Casanova (7 aces).