Taking the court inside Kaminsky Gymnasium for the 2020 home opener, the Joplin High School volleyball team overcame a sluggish start with a solid finish.
The Eagles defeated Cassville 3-1 (23-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-7) in non-conference action.
“After the first game, I felt like we got into a groove,” Joplin coach Staci Saunders said. “We got the jitters out of the way and we started playing like a team. We proved that when we play together, we play so much better. It was a team effort.”
Senior outside hitter Aubrey Ritter led the Eagles with 17 digs, 12 service points and 11 kills.
“Aubrey is a difference-maker,” Saunders said. “She’s just a great all-around player.”
Senior setter Addison Saunders recorded 20 assists, 12 service points with four aces for the Eagles, while junior middle hitter Kacy Coss compiled 14 service points, 10 kills and four blocks.
“I thought Kacy Coss had a great night,” Saunders said. “She served tough and played tough.”
Also for the Eagles, Allie Lawrence had nine kills and eight digs, Baileigh Riley handed out 15 assists and had eight digs, Kaylie Anderson contributed 11 digs, Angelina Schramm chipped in five kills and three blocks while Emma Floyd had three blocks.
“I thought our setters made good decisions and worked really well together,” Saunders said. “Our hitters hit hard and fast.”
Cassville took the first set, with junior outside hitter Sharayah Seymour leading the charge.
“I have to give Cassville credit,” Saunders said. “That outside hitter can hit a volleyball. We had a hard time stopping her in the first game, but we made some adjustments. Our blocking stepped up.”
The Eagles took control early in the next three sets.
Joplin led the second set 21-11 en route to victory.
In the third set, Ritter’s kill gave the Eagles a comfortable 17-7 lead. Late kills from Lawrence, Ritter and Coss, along with an ace from Schramm finished off the set.
The Eagles rolled in the fourth set, taking a 12-5 lead after kills from Coss and Lawrence. Coss later served a pair of aces before Ritter slammed two late kills to help the hosts conclude the night.
“In the last three games, our girls really played tough,” Saunders said.
Joplin (1-1) will host McDonald County on Tuesday night at 6:30. It will be Senior Night for the Eagles.
A NEW LOOK
Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, teams do not shake hands before or after the match. Players on each bench are spread out in chairs to social distance. Those players not on the court also wore masks on the sidelines. Also, the teams are not switching sides at all.
Saunders noted the changes have taken time to get used to, but are necessary in order to play.
JHS JV, freshman win
Joplin’s junior varsity team defeated Cassville 25-15, 25-2.
Logan Bruggeman and Abby Edwards had four kills apiece to lead JHS, while Abby Hembree had 24 service points with 10 aces. Kaya Cooper had eight digs.
The Eagles took the freshman contest 25-9, 25-9.
Janiah Vaughn had 19 service points and five aces for the Eagles, while Morgan Ferro had six kills and Macy Taylor had nine assists.
