JOPLIN TAKES OPENER IN FIVE SETS
PEMBROKE HILL, Mo. — In the 2023 debut, the Joplin High School volleyball team defeated Pembroke Hill in a five-set thriller on Tuesday night, as the Eagles won 25-22, 25-27, 25-20, 25-27, 15-11.
“It was a great team effort,” Eagles coach Staci Saunders told SoMo Sports. “They played their hearts out.”
Bailey Owens led the Eagles with 18 kills, 13 digs, six aces and two blocks, while Raelin Calderon added 10 kills and Janiah Vaughn contributed eight kills and eight digs.
Adalynn Noirfalise handed out 40 assists and also had seven digs and two blocks, while Phia Vogel recorded 12 digs and Amy Kessler contributed five blocks.
Joplin (1-0) is at Carl Junction on Thursday night.
WEBB CITY EARNS ROAD WIN
NEVADA, Mo. — Webb City earned victory No. 1 of the 2023 season by beating the host Nevada Tigers 3-0 on Tuesday night inside Wynn Gymnasium.
Rarely trailing on the scoreboard in all three sets, the Cardinals defeated the Tigers 25-13, 25-16, 25-20.
Webb City held leads of 16-9 and 20-11 en route to victory in the opening set.
The Cardinals scored the first four points of the second set and never trailed the rest of the way.
Webb City led 9-3 and 20-13 on the way to the third set win.
Nevada pulled within three late in the third set (23-30) before the Cardinals closed out the straight set victory.
Aubree Lassiter led the Cardinals with 10 kills and three aces and Jaeli Rutledge added nine kills.
Also for the Cardinals, Mia Lenker had four kills, Makayla Mayes added three kills and Kirra Long chipped in two kills.
Senior libero Sophia Crane had a team-high 22 digs to go with three aces, while sophomore setter Savannah Crane handed out 10 assists.
Webb City (1-1) hosts El Dorado Springs next Tuesday night.
Nevada (3-3) hosts Harrisonville on Thursday.
COLLEGE HEIGHTS BEATS LOCKWOOD
In the opener of the 2023 season, the College Heights Christian volleyball team defeated Lockwood 25-23, 25-27, 25-16, 25-21.
College Heights Christian’s Maddy Colin handed out 31 assists to go with seven kills, while Lilly Plassman had 37 digs and 10 service points.
Also for the Cougars, Toryn Fink had 10 service points and six kills, Bailey Peeples had 12 kills, Katie Moss contributed 13 digs and six kills and Allie Stout had 14 service points and three aces.
College Heights (1-0) will compete at Saturday’s Jasper Invitational.
SENECA DROPS OPENER TO NEOSHO
SENECA, Mo. — Neosho defeated Seneca in straight sets, as the Wildcats defeated the Indians 25-17, 25-13, 25-19 on Tuesday.
Seneca’s Jera Jameson recorded 10 digs and eight kills, while Ella Graham contributed 10 digs and four kills. Anna Adkins had 10 assists for the Indians (0-1).
Neosho’s stats were unavailable.
Seneca is at Reeds Spring on Thursday.
Neosho (2-4) hosts East Newton on Thursday.
Tuesday’s other scores
Carthage def. McDonald County 25-19, 25-11, 27-25
New Covenant def. McAuley Catholic 25-18, 25-16, 25-7
Thomas Jefferson def. Greenfield 25-22, 25-12, 25-16
