Lady Bulldogs edged by Kennett in three sets

Monday, October 21, 2013
Sikeston's Sadera Williams passes a ball Monday at the Sikeston Field House. (Chris Pobst photo)

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Their previous two matches went three sets with each team taking a win.

It was no surprise Monday's regular season contest went three sets between the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs and Kennett.

Sikeston's Kalli Williams goes up for a kill against Kennett Monday at the Sikeston Field House. (Chris Pobst photo)

"Kennett and Sikeston are so evenly matched," Sikeston head coach Steve Beydler said. "I'm not sure if I've ever seen teams so evenly matched."

Sikeston is coming off a recent victory over the Lady Indians during the SEMO Conference tournament which they won in three sets. Kennett grabbed the first win of the season in the SEMO Spike tournament in Cape Girardeau also in three sets.

Kennett came away the winner's this time around giving them the 2-1 edge this season against the Lady Bulldogs. Kennett won Monday night's match 25-19, 23-25 and 25-18.

"We just had a couple times where we had a serve-receive rotation that we just can't seem to get out of. We tried shifting a few things and then we do, but at that time it's a little too late."

Sikeston was led by Esther Chinwuko's nine kills and 27 digs. Victoria Knight added six kills. Lauren Beydler had 24 assists and three aces while Torrie Helms added 13 digs and Sadera Williams chipped in with three blocks.

Sikeston held the early advantage in the first set battling for a slim 14-12 lead. Kennett caught up with the Lady Bulldogs to tie the set at 17 and then eventually take a 20-18 advantage. They went on to score five of the next six points to take the first set.

The second set was just as close.

Sikeston's Lauren Beydler (7) sets a ball while teammate Sadera Williams (14) looks on Monday at the Sikeston Field House. (Chris Pobst photo)

A kill by Sadera Williams put Sikeston ahead 19-17. The Lady Bulldogs held a two-point cushion until Kennett tied the set at 22-22 with their second-straight ace and then took a 23-22 lead when a ball fell inside the Sikeston defense.

A Kennett serve out of bounds tied the set again. Consecutive kills by Kalli Williams, however gave Sikeston the set and sent the match to a third and deciding set.

"We had such a big lead that even though we got to trading points with them, we had a big enough lead that it was okay," Beydler said. "We went ahead and finished it off.

"Unfortunately, we have to play three."

Things fell the Lady Indians' way early to start the third set. They managed to build a 16-8 lead which ballooned to a 22-12 advantage.

"They had a lot better third set than we did," said Beydler. "I think we were fortunate to be where we were. I saw some of the girls being tight and tentative. You can't play volleyball when you're that way."

A small run by the Lady Bulldogs, which included a tip-kill by Lauren Beydler and two kills by Knight pulled Sikeston within five points at 23-18. That's when Sikeston's run came to an end and Kennett pulled out the match victory with two final points.

"My girls were down but didn't give up the fight," Beydler said about the third set. "But, there was such a big hole to dig out of. That's kind of been our season in a nutshell."

"I think tonights game is going to do good for us to help us prepare for Advance," Beydler said. "This team can hit, tip, dig and keep the ball alive."

Sikeston travels to Advance tonight to take on the Lady Hornets with junior varsity starting at 6 p.m.

Sikeston's junior varsity also lost to Kennett in three sets, 25-11, 23-25 and 13-25.

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