WEBB CITY, Mo. — Willard gained the momentum midway through each set and never relinquished it en route to a 3-0 Central Ozark Conference volleyball victory over Webb City on Tuesday night inside the Cardinal Dome.
The Tigers defeated the Cardinals 25-17, 25-19, 25-18.
Willard improved to 14-3-1 overall and 1-1 in the COC. Webb City dropped to 12-7-1 and 1-2 in conference action.
Webb City hung tough with the Tigers early in each set, but Willard was first to 15 and 20 in all three sets.
The first set was deadlocked at nine, but Willard pulled away at 15-12 and 20-14.
Webb City was up 7-6 in the second set when the Tigers recorded six straight points.
Up five, Willard rattled off seven straight points to take control at 22-10.
In the third set, it was more of the same. The set was deadlocked at 13, but Willard finished strong, closing the set and the match on a 12-5 run.
Sophomore outside hitter Aubree Lassiter and junior outside hitter Kate Brownfield recorded eight kills apiece to lead the Cardinals.
Brenda Lawrence, Kearston Galardo and Makenzie Storm added five kills apiece.
Setter Kyah Sanborn handed out 24 assists.
Brownfield led the team with 10 digs, while Jenna Noel and Galardo added nine digs apiece.
Storm chipped in four digs, while Lawrence and Sanborn had three digs apiece. The Cardinals were without defensive specialist Sophia Crane.
Webb City hosts Branson on Thursday in another COC matchup.
