HAMILTON – The Bangs Lady Dragons split Saturday’s final two matches at the Hamilton volleyball tournament, picking up a victory via forfeit over De Leon before dropping a 25-21, 25-23 contest to Temple.

“The girls played really well against a tough 6A team,” said Bangs interim head coach Tamara Minshew. “Things are really coming together for this group of young ladies. We are still working to find our groove with school starting, new practice times and routines, but ultimately these girls are flexible and eager to do whatever it takes to be successful.”

Against Temple, standouts for Bangs included Joey Newton with 2 setting assists; Neeley Bradley with 3 kills, 6 assists and 1 solo block; Raylee Hutchins with 1 kill; Emily Baker with 3 kills; Cloey Petty with 1 ace; Ava Boren with 3 kills and 3 assists; Jadyn Miller with 2 aces, 4 kills, 1 assist and 10 digs; and Julianna Ethridge with 12 digs.

The Lady Dragons began tournament action Thursday with losses to Hamilton and Bruceville-Eddy.

Leading the way against Hamilton were Newton with 1 setting assist and 3 digs; Bradley with 3 kills, 7 assists and 2 digs; Hutchins with 1 kill; Baker with 1 kill; Petty with 2 digs; Boren with 1 assist and 2 digs; Miller with 5 kills and 8 digs; and Ethridge with 7 digs.

Versus Bruceville-Eddy it was Newton with 1 ace, 8 setting assists, and 8 digs; Bradley with 11 kills, 7 assists, 1 solo block, 1 block assist, and 18 digs; Hutchins with 1 kill and 2 digs; Baker with 2 kills, 3 digs and 2 aces; Petty with 1 ace and 8 digs; Boren with 3 assists and 3 digs; Miller with 1 ace, 11 kills, 1 assist, and 12 digs; and Ethridge with 3 aces and 14 digs.

Bangs (5-3) is off until Friday when it competes in the Bronte tournament.