SHS volleyball downs Puxico in three sets

PUXICO -- Sikeston's volleyball team turned it on, turned it off, then turned it back on to beat Puxico in three sets Thursday.

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the first set 15-4, only to get dominated 15-3 in the second. Sikeston turned the intensity back up in the final set to win 15-6 and claim the overall match.

"It was an unusual thing tonight -- two separate teams showed up," said Sikeston coach Steve Beydler. "We had the team that I like to see show up for the first game. The team that played Dexter showed up for the second, then the other team came back to finish it off. It's always tough to go to these small towns and play in these small gyms with the low ceilings and all their fans and put it away like you want to."

In the first game, Sikeston struggled serving the ball. At one point, five of Sikeston's six rotations served it into the net. The Lady Bulldogs were able to take advantage of sideouts to pull out a 15-4 win.

In the second game, Puxico was led by the serving of standout junior varsity players.

"It was reminiscent of what happened against Dexter," said Beydler. "We couldn't get a serve-receive pass up. The girls were able to settle down, and they came back to finish business in the third game."

Summer Ray served eight points with two aces and had six digs and one kill. Jamie Medlin finished with one kill, one block and one dig. Joy Daniel served nine points with five aces, eight kills, one block and six digs.

Rachel Vining served six points with five digs. Emily Slaten served two points with one ace, one kill, three digs and four assists.

Fleming Silverthorn served five points with one ace, five assists and 10 digs. Stefanie Mason finished with one kill and one dig. Beth French served three points and had six digs.

Sikeston (11-11-1) will compete in the Three Rivers Tournament in Poplar Bluff on Saturday.

Puxico defeated Sikeston's junior varsity team 15-10, 15-5. Berneatress Hunt had one kill and Maggie Pfefferkorn finished with two assists. Audra Wooley, Tori McConnell and Erin Box each had one ace.

The Lady Bulldogs' jayvee falls to 5-11-1 with the loss.

STEELE -- New Madrid County Central defeated South Pemiscot in straight sets Thursday, 15-9, 15-9.

"The girls played excellent tonight," said NMCC coach Sonya Pixley.

"Everybody hustled, and did whatever it took to make sure the ball didn't hit the ground. South Pemiscot has a scrappy team."

Megan Lange served two aces with four assists, five kills and one block.

Elizabeth Myracle had one ace, two kills and two blocks. Lindsey Campbell finished with one ace and one kill, and Ashley Brittain had seven assists and three kills.

Kendra Gregg contributed five kills and Mariah Bock added one.

NMCC (8-12-2) will compete in the Three Rivers Tournament on Saturday in Poplar Bluff.

South Pemiscot defeated the Lady Eagles in the junior varsity match 16-14, 11-15, 15-10.