After dominating throughout the regular season, the Dove Creek High School volleyball rolled into the Class 1A District 1 Tournament in Olathe on Oct. 27 and dispatched of Nucla and De Beque with relative ease.

Keying Dove Creek’s 25-21, 25-19, 25-16 victory over Nucla to open the tournament were senior Breea Meyer and junior Cassie Gatlin, who hammered down nine kills and eight kills, respectively. Meyer added four blocks, and Gatlin added three aces for Dove Creek.

The Bulldogs also received a significant contribution from Taylor Hickman, who had 20 digs and 23 assists.

After beating Nucla, Dove Creek faced off against De Beque in the district championship and won, 22-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-19. De Beque, which was ranked fifth in the Colorado High School Association’s latest poll, entered the match with a 17-3 record.

Among the statistical leaders for Dove Creek in the match were Gatlin, who had 13 kills and 21 digs, and senior Madilyn Hankins, who came through with nine kills and four aces. Sophomore Grace Hatfield led the Bulldogs in digs with 25 overall, and Meyer had a match-best seven blocks.

Thanks to their victories at districts, Dove Creek earned the right to host a Class 1A Regional Tournament on Nov. 3. The Bulldogs will open the round-robin tournament with a match against No. 3 seed Nucla at 10 a.m. Dove Creek will then face off against Sangre de Cristo at 2 p.m.

The winner of the three-team regional tournament will gain a berth in the Class 1A State Tournament in Denver, Nov. 8-10.