Volleyball

It was quite a successful fall sports season in the Southeast Missouri area. The Advance volleyball team won its first-ever state championship, and Jackson football finished the regular season undefeated for the first time in over a decade before falling in the quarterfinals to the eventual Class 5 state champions...

The 2018 Bootheel Conference all-conference volleyball team has been released. Malden’s Gracie Thomas is the 2018 Bootheel Conference Player of the Year. Thomas recorded 87 blocks, 180 kills and had 19 ace serves for the Green Wave. “She has been a key player in our success here at Malden,” Malden coach Brittany Crane said. ...

Before the season began, Erin Hoffman had a plan. The past two years the Advance volleyball coach had seen her team fall in the state sectional round, so going into the 2018 campaign, Hoffman wanted a multitude of attacking options she could rely upon...

It was a combination that had worked all season, and with a state championship on the line, Advance volleyball turned to it once more. Senior Addie Curtis set the ball, Roz Schrader jumped above the net and the Hornets bench rose to their feet in anticipation. Schrader smacked the ball off the outstretched fingers of the Calvary Lutheran block and onto the other side of the court...

It wasn't the best start, but that didn't matter. The Advance volleyball team won its opening set by the thinnest of margins —two points — and then proceeded to win each of the next five sets by five points or more to go a perfect 6-0 in pool play at the Class 1 final four Friday morning at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- It took Addie Curtis all of two practices to figure out this Advance volleyball team was special. That's when the senior setter came home with a simple message for her parents: the Hornets were going to the final four. It didn't matter that Advance hadn't gone to state since 1983 or that the last two seasons had ended at the sectional round...

The Eagle Ridge Christian School volleyball team poses for a photo Saturday in Joplin, Missouri, after winning its third consecutive state championship. The Eagles won the Missouri Christian Schools Athletic Association Division 3 state title. It's the fourth championship in program history. Eagle Ridge also won an MCSAA state championship in 2014...

HOLCOMB, Mo. -- Advance volleyball coach Erin Hoffman entered Saturday's Class 1 state playoff matches a bit nervous. For the Hornets to reach the final four, they had to beat two teams for a third time this season. Turns out, she had nothing to worry about...

MALDEN — The Arcadia Valley volleyball team set some lofty goals in the preseason. The Bloomfield Wildcats weren’t sure what to expect in the upcoming season. The Tigers achieved one of their goals Saturday night, beating Bloomfield 25-15, 25-14 in a Class 2 quarterfinal at Malden High School...

HOLCOMB, Mo. - The host Holcomb Hornets finally found its offensive rhythm midway into the second set but was unable to keep things going long enough to take a set from the Bernie Mules in a Class 1 sectional Saturday. Bernie scored 14 of the final 19 points to edge Holcomb by six points in the second set and take the playoff 25-6, 25-19...

STEELE, Mo. - It took a couple extra points but the Holcomb Hornets volleyball program managed to escape with its first district title in a decade Thursday night. Holcomb broke a 25-25 tie in a decisive third set when sophomore Macy Houart and senior Carli Morgan collected back-to-back kills. The clutch offensive execution propelled No. 3 seeded Holcomb past the No. 5 seeded South Pemiscot Bulldogs 17-25, 25-15, 27-25 in the Class 1, District 1 championship at South Pemiscot High School...

MALDEN, Mo. — Struggling to take control of Malden at different points in the match, the New Madrid County Central volleyball team’s season came to a close on Tuesday, in the Class 2, District 1 Tournament, at Malden High School. The Eagles made it very interesting in both sets though...

MALDEN, Mo. — Energy and emotion was not the problem for the Portageville volleyball team in Wednesday’s Class 2, District 1 championship match against Malden. It was more so that the Bulldogs were continuing to fight out of deficits that eventually led to them losing in straight sets to the host-Green Wave...

Throughout this season, the Jackson volleyball team has leaned on an aggressive service game to put the pressure on the opposition. That approach propelled the Indians to 26 wins and a second consecutive district championship game, but it wasn't enough to lead them past the reigning district champions...

MALDEN, Mo. - The Malden Green Wave volleyball team entered Wednesday’s Class 2, District 1 championship against the Portageville Bulldogs with a simple strategy - trust its defense and try to outhit a familiar opponent. “We went three sets the other two times we met Portageville this year,” Malden coach Brittany Crane said. ...

BELL CITY, Mo. - The Bernie Mules varsity volleyball team has the luxury of having a slew of offensive weapons at the net. "I think it helps us," Bernie volleyball coach Jason Long said of his squad's offensive depth. "When we pass the ball well and get teams back on their toes it makes it easier for us to move the ball around."...

OAK RIDGE, Mo. -- Addie Curtis is bringing home the Class 1 District 3 championship plaque, literally. The Advance volleyball senior has a tradition. Every time the Hornets win a plaque, she sleeps with it that night. "It's good luck," Curtis said. She's had plenty of practice...

JACKSON, Mo. — It was not the night that the Sikeston volleyball team was hoping for on Monday, as the Bulldogs fell in straight sets to Hillsboro in the Class 4, District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School, ending their 2018 season. Sikeston (8-23) fell early in the first set, at 9-1, and could never recover from there, as Hillsboro went on to win the first set 25-12 and the second set 25-7...

Roz Schrader hammered 11 kills as the Advance volleyball team concluded its regular season with a 25-18, 25-11 sweep of Woodland to post a flawless 7-0 conference record to clinch the Stoddard County Activities Association (SCAA) Conference title on Friday in Advance, Mo. Alyssa Miles nailed six kills and Nyah Wilson added five kills for the Hornets (29-2-1, 7-0 SCAA). ...

MALDEN -- The Bloomfield Wildcats and Malden Green Wave might meet again. The Wildcats, seeded second in Class 2 District 2, defeated Malden, the top seed in Class 2 District 1, 25-17, 25-18 Thursday night at Malden High School. If both teams win their district, they would meet again in a sectional playoff Oct. 27 at Malden High School...

The Perryville boys soccer team scored three goals in each half to wrap up the regular season with a 6-1 conference victory at home over the Windsor. Dayton Strattman and Jake Unterreiner netted two goals apiece to lead Perryville (13-10, 4-1 JCAA Conference). Unterreiner added one assist and Stanley Volansky chipped in one goal and one assist. Nick Omelchenko recorded the other goal for the Pirates and Austin Welk provided two additional assists...

As the Notre Dame bench erupted in cheers and half-ran, half-skipped onto the volleyball court, Alexa Clark fell to the floor. Overcome by emotion, the junior was on the verge of tears. Behind Clark's 12 kills and an outstanding defensive effort, Notre Dame had just won the SEMO Conference Tournament championship, beating defending champion Jackson, 25-19, 25-13, in Thursday's final at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Behind 24 team kills and a strong offensive match, the Sikeston volleyball team was able to win its first match of the SEMO Conference Tournament, on Thursday, against Oran. Zaria Blissett had 14 kills to just two errors, while Emily McHaffie had eight kills in her own right...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Kennett Indians varsity volleyball team enjoyed a strong performance in pool play at the SEMO Conference Tournament Tuesday at Cape SportsPlex. Kennett went 6-2 in the SEMO South Division Pool. The performance earned Kennett a second-place finish in the SEMO South Division Pool. Scott City (7-1) placed first, New Madrid County Central (4-4) finished third, Oran (3-5) came in fourth and Charleston (0-8) took fifth in the SEMO South Division Pool...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — It was a struggle in all four matches for the Sikeston volleyball team, at the SEMO Conference Tournament, on Tuesday evening. The Bulldogs were swept in all four of its matches and are the No. 5-seed for bracket play — which begins on Thursday — at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Senior Night festivities and an excited Notre Dame crowd did not affect the Dexter volleyball team on Monday night. The Bearcats won a pair of highly competitive sets 25-23, 25-18, en route to their 15th win of the season and their fifth-straight victory over the Bulldogs...

The schedule is set for the SEMO Conference volleyball tournament. The 10-team event takes place Oct. 16 and Oct. 18 at Cape SportsPlex. Pool play is Oct. 16 and bracket play is Oct. 18. Cape Central, Notre Dame, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, and Jackson will compete in the SEMO North Pool. Scott City, Oran, NMCC, Kennett, and Charleston will compete in the SEMO South Pool...

The Oak Ridge volleyball team won all three of its matches in straight sets to win the round-robin Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament on Friday at Zalma High School. Maggie Howe led the way with 18 kills in the tournament and Paige Glueck had 15 kills for the BlueJays (20-7-2). Brittany Showmaker had eight kills in the three matches and Taylor Seyer finished with 44 assists...

SENATH, Mo. - Campbell fell behind a few points in both sets but refused to be denied its first Bootheel Conference Tournament championship in school history in varsity volleyball Thursday night. The No. 2 seeded Campbell Camels overcame a three-point deficit in the opening set and rallied from seven down in the second set as it outlasted the No. 1 seeded Malden Green Wave 25-19, 26-24 in varsity title game at Senath-Hornersville High School...

Poplar Bluff's Brylee Misner blasted two home runs and had three RBIs as the Mules ended Cape Girardeau Central's softball season Wednesday in the Class 4 District 1 Tournament with a 13-3 victory in the quarterfinals at Jackson City Park. The Mules used four three-run innings in enacting the 10-run rule in the sixth inning...

KENNETT, Mo. - The Malden Green Wave and Campbell Camels are set to collide in the championship of the Bootheel Conference varsity volleyball tournament for a second straight season after collecting semifinal victories Wednesday night. No. 1 seeded Malden outlasted No. 4 seeded Portageville 25-17, 20-25, 25-12 in the first varsity semifinal Wednesday...

KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Indians varsity volleyball program sent its seniors out in style on Senior Night Monday night. Kennett outlasted the visiting Sikeston Bulldogs 25-21, 25-14 in the varsity contest. “I think the girls were really hyped up because it was Senior Night,” Kennett volleyball coach Taylor Miller said. “They went out there and did their jobs and won the game. They played much better than their previous game against Cape Central.”...

CARTERVILLE, Ill. — Two goals from senior Jeffrey Thornbrough made the difference for the Sikeston soccer team on Tuesday night. Sikeston defeated Carterville, Illinois, on the road, 2-1 to move to 10-12 on the season. It was also the Bulldogs last regular season game of the year and will take the pitch next on October 30, at the district tournament, at the Sikeston Recreation Complex...

The schedules have been released for the Tri-County Conference and Bootheel Conference high school volleyball tournaments. The Bootheel Conference varsity and junior varsity tournaments take place Oct. 9-11 at Senath-Hornersville High School. The Tri-County varsity and junior varsity tournaments take place Oct. 9-12 at Holcomb High School...

Nicholas Hux posted a first-place time of 5 minutes, 14.46 seconds in the 500 freestyle as the Notre Dame boys swimming team finished 18 points of Monett to win the championship of the 25th Annual Roger Eastman (Fort Zumwalt North) Invitational on Saturday at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters, Missouri...

The Saxony Lutheran softball team scored one run in the final inning to eke out an 8-7 victory over host Herculaneum on Friday. Zoie Roth went the distance in the circle to obtain the win for Saxony (4-11). Six of the seven runs allowed were earned and she recorded two strikeouts and six walks...

SIKESTON — Two days after losing a tough, three-set match to Portageville, the Sikeston volleyball team returned to the court, at the Sikeston Field House, for senior night on Thursday against Malden. The Bulldogs lost both sets, as the Green Wave exposed Sikeston’s weakness, at the setter position...

DEXTER, Mo. — Maycie Martin produced team highs of eight kills and three blocks, and the Dexter Bearcats beat Puxico 25-12, 25-4 Monday night to finish 6-1 in the SCAA. Shelby Bishop led the Bearcats with three aces, and Natalie Sitze had a team-high seven digs in a match played at the Bearcat Event Center...

SIKESTON — In a thrilling match that went the distance, Portageville outlasted Sikeston, on Tuesday at the Sikeston Field House. Zaria Blissett finished the night with a team-high 13 kills, but proved not to be enough, as Portageville was able to take full command in the last two sets to win its 18th match of the campaign...

KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Indians high school volleyball program took the opportunity to raise money for a local non-for-profit organization at its annual "Pink Out Game" against New Madrid County Central Monday night. Both teams wore pink uniforms and a variety of activities were conducted to raise money...

Wil Essner and Jake Sauerbrunn each sank two goals to lead the Jackson boys soccer team to a 7-0 victory over North County on Monday at Jackson Junior High School. Ryan Kinder and Noah Sparks netted one goal apiece for the Indians, who improved to 12-1-2 with the win. Chalon Domian had the other goal and also had an assist for the hosts and Chayton Bass added one assist...

After every team huddle, the Advance volleyball team yells the word "Mission" in unison. Mission was accomplished on Saturday as the defending tournament champion Hornets didn't drop a match to clinch their second consecutive championship at the 20-team Perryville Tournament...

The Cape Girardeau Central boys swimming team posted five state qualifying times as the host Tigers took third place at the Cape Rock Invitational on Friday at the Central Municipal Pool. Central's Hyrum Dickson accounted for two of the times. The senior won the 100 butterfly in 54.65 seconds and also posted a state-qualifying time of 22.27 seconds in winning the 50 freestyle. ...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. — Rylee Crumley and Kelly Ivy each batted in two runs to lead the Hawks to their 10th win of the season in the road victory over the Pirates. Alyssa Tidwell went the distance in the circle to get the win for Kelly (10-6). All five runs were earned, and she walked three batters and struck out two...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Aggression on offense was the critical component for the Cape Central volleyball team on Thursday. The Tigers were able to disrupt any momentum that New Madrid County Central was trying to gain, in its straight-set, road victory. Cape Central won the first set 25-16, and only allowed 10 points in the second set, to secure its eighth win of the season. Head coach Sara Henry said that even though her team won decisively, she felt that they started off the match sluggish...

Chalon Domian netted two goals as the Jackson boys soccer team picked up a key conference victory in its 3-0 win over Farmington on Thursday at Jackson Junior High School. Colton Seyer scored the other goal for the Indians, who improved to 11-1-2 and 4-0 in the SEMO Conference. Logan Geare provided one assist for Jackson, which snapped the Knights' five-game winning streak with the victory...

SIKESTON — After the first set, it looked as if Oran was going to cruise to a surprising victory over Sikeston on Tuesday, at the Sikeston Field House. The Eagles won the first set 25-16, not allowing the Bulldogs to get into any groove. Even with Oran winning the first set decisively, head coach Amy Wibbenmeyer said that she didn’t think her team played the best volleyball...

KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Indians varsity volleyball team enjoyed an electric start but struggled to keep pace with the Bernie Mules after the first set Monday night. Bernie collected double-digit wins in the second and third sets after dropping the first set by three points to win at Kennett 22-25, 25-14, 25-12...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Nyah Wilson and Meadow Morse jumped together, their fingers extending above the net as they prepared for the block. The Advance volleyball team works on blocking every practice, and it paid off. Wilson and Morse combined to send the ball back from where it came, and Dexter was unable to handle it, setting off another on-court celebration as the Hornets sealed the 25-21, 25-17 home win with a block on the final point...