Dexter has strong showing at BA Sports Classic

CAPE GIRDEAU-- The Dexter Lady Bearcats volleyball team participated in the B.A. Sports Volleyball Classic Friday and Saturday at the Southeast Missouri State University Recreational Center. The tournament was attended by over 30 area volleyball teams. The Lady Bearcats complied a 2-2-1 record in the event.

The Lady Bearcats opened pool play Friday with a 25-17, 25-23 win over the Portageville Lady Bulldogs. Dexter then tied Bismark with sets of 25-25, 16-25. The Lady Bearcats rounded out pool play on Saturday with a 25-16, 25-13 victory against Saxony Lutheran.

Dexter emerged as the top seed from their pool but ran in to trouble against a tough Lesterville, Mo. team. The Lady Bearcats dropped the match to Lesterville 25-21, 12-25 and 25-22.

Dexter's tournament ended with a loss Saturday to the Scott City Lady Rams 25-16, 25-9.

Cathryn Heil had a solid performance in the five games of the tournament recording 36 kills, 37 digs, 14 assists, five blocks and four aces for the Lady Bearcats.

"We lost our focus against Scott City and could never get it back," Dexter volleyball coach Kris Vandeven said.

Overall, Vandeven feels that the experience was a positive one for her team.

"I am pleased with the girls' performance this weekend," she said. "There were several good teams in the tournament and we had to face some tough competition."

Vandeven feels her program is moving in the right direction.

"We are glad to have the whole team back together finally," she said. "But, there are definitely some kinks that need to be worked out. We have good talent as a team, but need to learn how to keep the momentum up on our side. Hopefully, we can learn from it and move on."