Delhi High's volleyball team fell short against Le Grand High in the Hawks' second Southern League matchup of the season on Tuesday. The Lady Hawks tested the Bulldogs through four sets, but ultimately walked away from the court with a 3-1 loss (13-25, 25-14, 21-25, and 13-25).

“In general, I though they played great. I mean there were moments when we slipped back into that old team, and we had to regain our focus, but today I thought they played really well,” Delhi head coach Lauren Ruell said.

Delhi started the night slowly but found its spark by the beginning of the second set. Effective communication between the likes of Alyssa Stockton, Bianca Escobedo, and Veronica Garcia—who filled in for the absent setter Isabel Barboza— allowed Delhi to go on a pair of scoring runs, five and six points respectively, and send a frustrated Le Grand team back to its bench to regroup.

The Bulldogs hit the court for the third set and traded points back and forth with the Hawks before hitting their stride and taking a 9-18 lead. Rather than accept defeat like the Hawks of old, however, Delhi instead rallied and cut the Bulldogs' score by two points, 20-22. Unfortunately for Delhi, its girls were unable complete the comeback.

“Our first league game we really struggled with going into a game and being mentally already beaten because of the name of the team, so today was a big change from Thursday,” Ruell said. “They have to not dwell on the last point. So I think as soon as they just play and not worry about the score, then we'll win. And I think with this group, if they just win one time I really feel like they're just going to take off.”

Escobedo finished the night with six kills.

Delhi hosts Orestimba High on Thursday as its girls continue to search for their first win of the season.