Lady Lions, Kennett advance in district play

SEMO News Service photo by Jerry Jarrell Kennett's Taylor Wake (18) hits the ball against New Madrid County Central during Monday's first-round action at the Class 3, District 1 volleyball tournament at Dexter. [Click to enlarge]

SENATH, Mo. -- The Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions made sure history didn't repeat itself.

After losing in the semifinals last fall as the top seed, the Lady Lions ensured that it did not happen this time, getting strong games from their setters and hitters to down the Caruthersville Lady Tigers 25-14, 25-20 in the semifinals of the Class 2, District 1 Tournament here Monday night.

"My setters were awesome tonight," Senath-Hornersville Lori Hoffmann said. "They set the ball right where we needed it and when we needed it for our hitters to get their hands on the ball. ... The girls were up and they were ready to play."

SEMO News Service photo by Jerry Jarrell Kennett's Ciara Dewrock (10) hits the ball against NMCC Monday at the Class 3, District 1 volleyball tournament at Dexter. [Click to enlarge]

That they were. The Lady Lions (22-7-1) started hot Monday night, taking a 7-1 lead in the first set on Natalie Bibbs' ace and pushing the lead to 17-5 to set the tempo.

However, Caruthersville did not give up, running off seven of the next nine points and cutting the lead to 19-12 on Johnny Marie Johnson's kill, forcing a Lady Lions' timeout.

"Sometimes the girls get down and frustrated," Hoffmann said. "After a timeout, we (calmed) them down and just (got) them back in the game."

Senath-Hornersville responded by scoring three straight points and ultimately closing out the first game.

In the second set, the Lady Tigers and Senath-Hornersville battled neck and neck most of the set. Rondreka Ricks' ace put Caruthersville up 5-3 and a Johnson ace later snapped an 11-all tie.

However, Mallory Fritz's ace put the Lady Lions up 16-14 and Senath-Hornersville never trailed again.

Jami Jackson had a big night on the net, registering eight kills and six blocks for the Lady Lions while Megan Smith added five blocks and four kills.

Senath-Hornersville will take on either Twin Rivers or Malden this evening at 6 p.m. with the district title on the line.

"Tuesday is a big night for us," Hoffmann said. "I hope the girls are pumped. ... Our girls have got to be ready to go. I think they are. I think they want this one bad."

Class 3, District 1
Kennett def. NMCC
At Dexter, there were no surprises in the first round Monday.

With top seed Notre Dame and No. 2 Dexter waiting for opponents with first-round byes, No. 3 Fredericktown rolled over No. 6 Doniphan, 25-8, 25-5, and the always close matchup of four and five seeds was just that as Kennett slipped past New Madrid County Central, 25-21, 25-18.

Against NMCC, the Lady Tribe overcame a weeklong layoff to advance in district play.

"We were a little bit flat," Kennett coach Laura Ort said. "We did some things well, but there were some things we could have done better, but I think we'll be back on the right track for (the semifinals)."

Audrey Wynne led the way with eight kills and four blocks, while Taylor Wake stepped up with seven kills, a pair of blocks and four digs. Ciara Dewrock added five kills, three aces and five digs while Morgan Pickens chipped in four kills and Chrisie Burrow dished off 21 assists.

"I've got five seniors, one junior and a couple of sophomores stepping up to play," Ort said. "It's a good mix with some kids that got some experience last year. It'll be exciting."

Notre Dame will play Kennett (19-7-4) today at 5 p.m., while Dexter will take on Fredericktown at 6 o'clock. The championship game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Dexter High School gym.

"It's been several years since we got to the finals and we know we are going to have to come in (Tuesday) and bring our A game against Notre Dame," Ort said. "We're just excited for the opportunity to come in and see what we can do."

Jerry Jarrell of The Daily Statesman provided some of the information for this story.