Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Bryleigh Powers (No. 3) of Eustace launches the ball in the Lady Bulldogs’ home district match versus Malakoff Sept. 16.

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Bodie Hudson (No. 4) of Eustace sends the ball past Malakoff’s Avery Austin (No. 13) and Bree Tinney (No. 14) during the district match in Eustace between the Lady Bulldogs and Malakoff Lady Tigers Sept. 16. 

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Lady Tiger Alabama Anding (No. 7) serves in Malakoff's road district match at Eustace Sept. 16.

EUSTACE—In a matchup between the top two teams in District 15-3A, Region II, the Eustace Lady Bulldogs hosted the Malakoff Lady Tigers Sept. 16 for a district showdown. Both squads came in tied atop the standings with 2-0 starts.
In the Texas Girls Coaches Association State volleyball poll released the day before the game, Eustace was ranked No. 4 in Class 3A while Malakoff was No. 13.
SET ONE
Eustace took the first three points before Malakoff knotted it at 3.
The Lady Bulldogs scored four of the next five and led 7-4. The Lady Tigers also scored four of the next five and tied it up at 8. Malakoff would then take their first lead at 10-9.
Eustace responded with four in a row to lead 13-10. 
Tied at 16, the Lady Bulldogs’ 5-1 run gave them their biggest lead so far at 21-17. Eustace would go on to take the first set, 25-20.
SET TWO
The Lady Bulldogs led early at 4-1 before the Lady Tigers took the 6-5 lead after a 5-1 stretch.
Eustace used a 9-2 run and led 14-8. At 15-10, the Lady Tigers trimmed it to 16-13 with three of the next four points.
At 21-15, Malakoff scored three of the next four and trailed 22-18 before Eustace closed the second set with three straight to win 25-18.
SET THREE
The Lady Bulldogs led early at 6-2. The Lady Tigers got five of the next eight points and trailed 9-7.
As Eustace led 14-10, Malakoff took the 15-14 lead after scoring five in a row.
With the Lady Bulldogs up 17-16, an 8-2 Lady Tiger run created a set point at 24-19. The Lady Bulldogs got two more points before Malakoff forced a fourth game with a 25-21 victory.
SET FOUR
After an early 2-2 tie, the Lady Tigers took the 10-3 lead after an 8-1 run.
With Malakoff leading 10-5, the Lady Bulldogs’ ensuing 9-3 stretch gave them the 14-13 advantage.
At 16-14 in favor of Eustace, the Lady Tigers scored four in a row and led 18-16 before the Lady Bulldogs tied it at 18.
Malakoff closed the fourth set with a 7-2 stretch and won, 25-20, to set up a decisive fifth game.
SET FIVE
As the Lady Tigers led 7-6, the Lady Bulldogs led 11-7 with a 5-0 run. At 11-9, Eustace wrapped up the set and match by scoring four of the next five points to secure a thrilling 15-10 victory over Malakoff in five sets.
Eustace hosted Grand Saline Sept. 19 while Malakoff traveled to Winona.