By DAVE WOODALL
Slidell sports writer
SLIDELL — You have to hand it to the Fontainebleau Lady Bulldogs.
Despite starting the season in a big hole (2-7), the Bulldogs stepped up and have gotten back into the District 4-I race.
Fontainebleau can now boast an overall record of 18-14 and 6-3 in the league standings.
And they added to that record last week beating the Northshore Lady Panthers in a grueling five-set match 25-15, 16-25, 25-23,19-25, 16-14.
With the loss, Northshore loses its first district game falling to 21-9 overall and 8-1 in the district.
Northshore coach Danny Davis was gracious in defeat saying, “It was a great match between two quality teams. Fontainebleau made a few more plays down the stretch then we did to get the win.”
Hailey Kirkpatrick had a huge game for the Panthers getting 26 digs and 17 kills. Sabrina Buelle and Annelise Vollenweider had 24 and 19 digs respectively.
Caitlin Epperson had two blocks and nine kills with Carly Merry collecting 11 kills. Hannah Epperley had a monster game leading the offense with 46 assists.
“It was a really hard fought game,” said Fontainebleau coach Kacie Mule’. “Both teams played well. We had some of our younger girls step up and play really well.”
Stepping up for the Lady Bulldogs were Christine Kugelmann with 13 kills, six blocks, two aces. Alexis Zulli pounded 14 kills with Rachel Tabor collecting 13 kills and 21 assists. Tiffany Marlborough had 28 digs while Lauren Larzelere had 21 digs. Emily Campbell had 26 assists.