After three straight victories over San Juan Basin League opponents, the Dove Creek High School volleyball team is closing in on its first league title since the 2013 season, which saw the Bulldogs lose in the semifinals of the Class 1A State Tournament.

Opening last week with a road matchup against Telluride on Oct. 5, Dove Creek scored a hard-fought victory by a score of 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, thanks to consistent defense and timely offense from its players.

Among the statistical leaders for the Bulldogs was Breea Meyer, who pounded down 12 kills and registered 13 digs in the match. Cassie Gatlin also enjoyed a stellar evening as the junior was credited with eight kills and a match-high 15 digs. Taylor Hickman led Dove Creek with three aces and 27 assists, and Grace Hatfield and Meyer both had three blocks.

Dove Creek played its second match of last week at home against Ouray on Oct. 6, and the Bulldogs emerged victorious by a score of 25-11, 25-9, 25-12.

Leading the way in the dominant victory were Gatlin, who had 10 kills and 3 digs, and Madilyn Hankins, who had nine kills and five digs. Grace Hatfield was credited with a match-best five aces, and Hickman was credited with a match-best 24 assists.

Dove Creek returned to the court on the road against Nucla High School on Oct. 9 and walked away with their eighth straight victory of the season. The Bulldogs won what turned out to be a thrilling match by a score of 25-19, 19-25, 22-25, 25-14, 15-9.

Among the offensive leaders for the Bulldogs was Gatlin who was credited with 15 kills, and Meyer, who came through with 10 kills. Grace Hatfield led Dove Creek defensively with 25 digs and Meyer was credited with three blocks.

Hatfield, Meyer and Hankins each had two aces, and Hickman led her team in assists with 34.

Now 14-0 on the season and 7-0 in the SJBL, the Bulldogs, who are currently unranked in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 1A volleyball poll, will play their next game against Telluride in Dove Creek on Oct. 16.