NIXA 3, WEBB CITY 2
NIXA, Mo. — In a back and forth five-set thriller, Nixa finished strong to knock off Webb City 3-2 on Thursday night in Central Ozark Conference volleyball action.
The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 25-11, 24-26, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11.
Webb City fell to 15-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while Nixa improved to 18-3 and 4-1 in the COC.
The Cardinals hung tough in the early stages of the opening set, trailing 7-5. But Nixa got on a roll, using an 18-6 surge to take the first set in convincing fashion.
But the visitors would take the next two sets.
Webb City trailed 23-19 in the second set before rallying. The set was deadlocked at 24 when the Cardinals scored two straight points, a kill from Savannah Crane and an ace from Mia Lenker, to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set was tied at 15 when the Cardinals used a 7-2 spurt to pull ahead for good. A block at the net by Aubree Lassiter finished off the set, giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.
Webb City kept the momentum early in the fourth set, taking leads of 10-5 and 15-10. But Nixa battled back and forced a deciding fifth set.
The fifth set was tied at 10 when Nixa ended the match on a 5-1 burst.
Jaeli Rutledge led the Cardinals with 15 kills and Lassiter added 13 kills and 14 digs. Makayla Mayes had seven kills and Kirra Long added six kills.
Savannah Crane handed out 37 assists and recorded 10 digs from the setter position, while Sophia Crane had a team-high 23 digs at libero.
Also for the Cardinals, Lenker had 11 digs and Jadyn Catterson contributed 10 digs.
Webb City is hosting a quadrangular with Carl Junction, St. Mary’s Colgan and Grain Valley on Saturday.
REPUBLIC 3, CARL JUNCTION 2
REPUBLIC, Mo. — In another key COC clash that went five sets, Republic defeated Carl Junction 25-11, 25-27, 25-21, 17-25, 15-10.
Karissa Chase led the Bulldogs with 18 kills and three blocks, while Kylie Scott added 17 kills.
Also for the Bulldogs, Miya Carnes compiled 42 assists and 11 digs, while Abigail Wilson had 29 digs and Sara Buchele and Jadyn Howard each contributed three aces.
Carl Junction fell to 16-5 on the season and 4-2 in the COC.
Republic is now 18-4 and 4-1 in the COC.
OZARK 3, JOPLIN 0
OZARK, Mo. — The Joplin Eagles gave a solid effort, but it wasn’t enough against a talented Ozark squad.
Ozark topped Joplin 25-8, 25-18, 25-18 on Thursday.
The Tigers are now 16-2 overall and 5-0 in the COC.
Senior outside hitter Bailey Owens led Joplin with eight kills, six digs and two blocks, while junior setter Adalynn Noirfalise had 13 assists, eight digs and two aces.
Joplin (4-14) hosts Carl Junction on Tuesday.
CARTHAGE 3, WILLARD 1
WILLARD, Mo. — Carthage defeated Willard 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21 on Thursday in COC action.
Carthage’s Peyton Ray had a team-high 12 kills, while Jaidyn Brunnert compiled 25 assists, eight kills, seven digs and two aces.
Ava Bourgault had 11 digs, 10 kills, three assists, two blocks and two aces and Sadie Comer compiled 16 assists, 15 digs, six kills and four aces.
Also for the Tigers, Riann Schwartz had 21 digs, Ella Schwartz recorded nine digs, Millie Templeman contributed eight kills, three digs and two aces, while London Shepherd chipped in four kills.
Carthage (12-13, 3-2 COC) will host Branson on Tuesday.
Other score
Lamar def. East Newton 25-12, 25-19, 25-19
