Bulldogs get rematch with Cougars

DeSoto High's varsity volleyball team has won eight straight district championships, and had three State Final Four berths in the same time period.  The Bulldogs now face a tough road if they are to repeat those winning ways this season. DeSoto (6-1) lost its first match of the season last Thursday, losing to Cardinal Mooney. What made the loss especially tough is that the Cougars are in the same district (3A-11) as the Bulldogs.  "They (Cardinal Mooney) served a bit better than Southeast did (a team DeSoto beat earlier last week)," DeSoto coach David Bremer said. "We didn't do a good job on our serve receiving. We had something like 20 miscues in that area."

DeSoto will have a chance to get back at Cardinal Mooney when the Bulldogs host the Cougars at 7 p.m. Thursday. But first, the Bulldogs must play a non-district match at North Port at 7 p.m. tonight.  "The key for us the rest of the season will be to put the ball away when we have the opportunity," Bremer said. "Otherwise, our serving has been fine and our defense has been pretty good."  Senior Selby Flint has been a standout as a middle hitter this season. She has been a consistent hitter and helps make up for the graduation losses of Brittany Muse and Kalee Schlabach.  One thing the Bulldogs have in their favor is that they will be hosting the district tournament this season. DeSoto, Southeast and Cardinal Mooney appear to be the class of the district so far this and the championship should be up for grabs at the tournament.