Fontainebleau’s Lady Bulldogs continued their march to a potential district title on Thursday, sweeping the Covington Lady Lions, 25-10, 25-9, 25-19, at CHS.

FHS (24-2) is unblemished with a 10-0 mark in district play. Covington (3-14) fell to 1-9 in district action.

FHS set the tone early in game one with senior Amanda Schneck firing off nine consecutive points, including two aces. Holding a 10-1 advantage, Jessica Guttierrez rattled off three straight to build a 12-point lead. Guttierrez served an ace with Sarah Ulm and Haley Bonneval collecting kills. CHS’ Rachel Smith finally got a kill to gain serve for the Lady Lions only to have Bonneval return the favor for FHS with another kill. Rachel Smith came up with another kill to make it 14-3. FHS’ Lindsey Barron, the Lady Bulldogs’ hitting catalyst, downed a kill. Barron followed her kill by serving three straight points to build an insurmountable 18-3 lead en route to the game one 25-10 victory.

FHS' Lindsey Barron goes up for a kill attempt against a CHS tandem block in Thursday'€™s district match played in Covington. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

Barron led the way for the Lady Bulldogs collecting a match-high 12 kills. She also added six digs.

FHS jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game two. After gaining a side out, Guttierrez ran off three points including an ace. Leading 9-3, FHS’ Caitlyn Auxilien served three consecutive points for a 12-3 margin. After both teams traded a point, Taylor Anderson joined the Lady Dawgs’ serving parade, reeling off seven straight points, which included three consecutive aces on jump serves. With FHS leading 21-5, Emily Sulzer served two points.

CHS’ Jourdan Smith came up with a kill followed by two service points on two consecutive unforced errors by Fontainebleau. Ulm eventually put away game two with a kill for a 25-9 win.

Ulm, a 6-0 freshman, who finished with five kills and two blocks, is developing confidence at the net. Ulm, who will also play basketball for the Lady Bulldogs, has been seeing more playing time as of late.

“I think we did pretty well as a team,” Ulm said. Coach Danny (Tullis) wants to get me more sets. He wants to be able to change up some things so everyone can get included. We have so many good players. My teammates were able to get me involved,” said the freshman.

FHS coach Danny Tullis said he was pleased with the performance of some of his younger players.

“We were able to change the lineup a little trying to rest Lindsey (Barron) and Amanda (Schneck), who have had some knee issues during the season. Our younger players are getting playing time, and are taking advantage of it,” Tullis said.

“Both Sarah (Ulm) and Haley (Bonneval) are both good jumpers. They are coming along, and giving us depth. It’s a bright future for those two young players,” Tullis added.

Bonneval finished with five kills.

Covington was finally able to turn things around somewhat early in game three by taking a 2-0 lead. Rachel Smith downed a kill and Emily Smith served a point to get the Lady Lions off to a quick start. With FHS trailing 4-1, Barron knocked down a kill.

Michelle Cabeceiras clicked on seven straight serves to help the Lady Bulldogs regain the lead at 9-4. Cabeceiras had an ace and Barron contributed three kills during the run.

With CHS trailing 19-8, Rachel Smith finished off a kill. Emily Smith followed by tacking on four straight points with two aces, but the Lady Lions still trailed 19-13. After trading points, Rachel Smith regained serve with a kill.

CHS’ Monique Kuhn served three straight to cut the lead to 20-17. FHS put away game three with sophomore Rebecca Chautin getting the final two points. Guttierrez downed the final kill to complete the sweep 25-19.

FHS’ Guttierrez finished with eight kills and eight digs. The Lady Bulldogs’ trio of setters, Taylor Anderson, Cabeceiras and McCrea Barney, combined for 34 assists. Auxilien tallied eight digs with Anderson and Schneck delivered four aces each.

Rachel Smith topped the Lady Lions with nine kills and 12 digs in the match. Emily Smith contributed eight assists, eight digs and three aces. Jourdan Smith chipped in with seven digs followed by Jen Watkins with six.