The Joplin Eagles ended the regular season on a high note.
Competing inside Kaminsky Gymnasium for the final time in 2020, Joplin earned a 3-0 victory over Neosho on Tuesday in Central Ozark Conference volleyball action.
The Eagles defeated the Wildcats 25-23, 25-16, 25-13 on the team’s Pink Night.
“That was so nice for our seniors,” Eagles coach Staci Saunders said. “Aubrey (Ritter) and Addison (Saunders) have been three-year starters. For them, and for all of our seniors, to be able to win their last home match was special. It felt like Senior Night even though it wasn’t. I was really proud of the girls because they did what they had to do to win. It was just great to end the regular season on a win.”
An outside hitter, Ritter compiled 16 service points, nine digs and eight kills, while junior outside hitter Allie Lawrence slammed a team-high 16 kills.
A senior setter who was back in the lineup after missing time with a knee injury, Addison Saunders contributed 17 assists and nine digs.
Senior libero Kaylie Anderson had a team-high 21 digs, while senior setter Baileigh Riley had 13 assists and 12 service points. Coach Saunders noted junior middle hitter Kacy Coss is out for the remainder of the season with an injury.
“Allie had the game of her life tonight,” Saunders said. “And I felt like we played well together. Everyone did their jobs and everyone contributed. I thought Kaylie Anderson did a great job and it was great to have Addi back.”
Neosho fell to 14-14-1.
“I think we’ve got to make some decisions,” Neosho coach Ann Landrum said. “We’re either going to decide that when the going gets tough we get going or we’re going to be done when it comes to district time. There’s no magic solution. You just have to do what you have to do and we’re not doing it. “
Senior Savannah Merriman led the Wildcats with eight kills, while classmate Andi Johnson had six kills. Fellow senior Kaylee Butler served four aces
The back and forth opening set was tied at 23. A Neosho attack error and an ace from Addison Saunders gave the Eagles the set.
“I love Ann Landrum and John Moore,” Coach Saunders said. “They are some of my favorite people to coach against. They had their girls ready. Neosho came out swinging and aggressive in the first set. I was proud our girls could win that first set.”
In the second set, Lawrence slammed back-to-back kills to give the hosts a 21-14 advantage. Neosho’s Merriman had a pair of kills at the net, but a late kill from Emma Floyd gave Joplin the set victory.
The Eagles pulled away from the start in the third set, as Joplin took a 14-4 lead with Ritter serving.
Late kills from Angelina Schramm and Lawrence finished off the set and the match.
DISTRICT TOURNEYS AWAIT
Both teams will head to their respective district tournaments next week.
Second-seeded Neosho takes on third-seeded McDonald County at 6:30 on Oct. 27 in a semifinal of the Class 4 District 10 tournament in Branson, where the Pirates are the No. 1 seed.
“We’ve got to be mentally tough,” Landrum said. “We have to be ready when it’s time to go. We’re always going to keep trying. We just have to figure it out. Branson’s got a nice team and Mac (County) is on a roll.”
Third-seeded Joplin will challenge second-seeded Carthage at 5 on Oct. 28 in a semifinal contest of the Class 5 District 12 tournament at Carthage High School.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Saunders said. “I’ve been doing this for so long…I watched (Carthage coach) Bradyn (Webb) grow up. And Sarah Wall has been like a coaching mentor. To be able to play them will be fun. Both teams know each other well. They’ll be ready for us and I feel like we’ll be ready for them. It’s going to be a great matchup.”
