Kennett volleyball team, girls tennis team and JV football team win season openers Monday

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kenneett's Camryn Essary passes a ball Monday night against Oran.

VOLLEYBALL: Kennett 2, Oran 0

KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Indians varsity volleyball team set the tone early in the first set and rallied from a big deficit in the second set as it beat the Oran Eagles 25-15, 25-22 in its season opener Monday night.

“It was a great way to start the season,” Kennett volleyball coach Veronica Gardner said. “I’m really proud of how hard the girls played. We came out and jumped ahead and finished off the first set. The second set we were a little slower to get started but showed a lot of grit and determination coming from behind.”

Kennett jumped out to a 14-7 lead on its way to a double digit victory in the opening set.

Kennett trailed by as much as 16-5 in the second set before rallying to move ahead 20-19 on its way to a three-point victory.

“This group of girls has a no-quit attitude,” Gardner said. “They are mentally tough, which creates a fun group to coach and watch.”

Kennett was blessed with a balanced offensive attack in its three-setter 6-2 offense. Six Kennett hitters combined for 23 kills at the net.

“Every one of these girls is ready to put the ball away,” Gardner said. “We’ve worked a whole lot on communication and being ready every single time and I think we executed our offense well tonight.”

Kennett also won the junior varsity contest against Oran 25-21, 23-25, 25-19.

“We have a small junior varsity group but our girls hustle,” Gardner said. “It was nice to see them work hard, show what they can do and come away with a victory as well.”

The victory sets the stage for an opening week showdown between Dunklin County talents Kennett and Campbell Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Kennett.

“We don’t care what the team name is on a jersey,” Gardner said. “We are ready to play anybody. We are going to give it our all against whoever shows up.”

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GIRLS TENNIS: Kennett 2, Notre Dame 0

Kennett's Anna Beth Williams measures a shot Monday at Notre Dame.

Laura Simon ~ Southeast Missourian

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Kennett Indians varsity girls tennis program opened its season with a key district victory at Notre Dame.

Kennett won five of six singles matches and all three doubles matches for an 8-1 victory against Notre Dame.

Kennett also won the junior varsity contest against Notre Dame 8-1.

“Great win today,” Kennett girls tennis coach Janet Hilburn said. “Good way to start the season. It was really hot out and the girls seemed to adjust well to it. Our varsity and junior varsity played well.”

Kennett plays a junior varsity only contest at Caruthersville Tuesday and varsity match at Charleston Wednesday. Kennett’s home opener is Thursday against Jackson.

VARSITY Kennett 8, Notre Dame 1

VARSITY SINGLES

No. 1 - Anna Beth Williams (K) def. Grace Powderly (ND) 8-5

No. 2 - Kayton Harris (K) def. Hattie Burdin (ND) 8-1

No. 3 - Darcy Campbell (K) def. Maren Slaten (ND) 8-0

No. 4 - Emma Phillips (K) def. Laren Powderly (ND) 8-0

No. 5 - Sydni McAtee (K) def. Winnie Pickett (ND) 8-2

No. 6 - Claire Bruenderman (ND) def. Alexa Blankenship (K) 8-2

VARSITY DOUBLES

No. 1 - Williams-Harris (K) def. Powderly-Burdin (ND) 8-1

No. 2 - Campbell-McAtee (K) def. Slaten-Powderly (ND) 8-1

No. 3 - Phillips-Blankenship (K) def. Pickett-Bruenderman (ND) 8-3

JUNIOR VARSITY: Kennett 8, Notre Dame 1

JUNIOR VARSITY SINGLES

No. 1 - Bella Rouse (K) def. Ally Ochs (ND) 6-3

No. 2 - Taylor Hufford (K) def. Melanie Hayden (ND) 5-3

No. 3 - Allie Parrent (K) def. Riley Dodd (ND) 6-2

No. 4 - Dallas Campbell (K) def. Gigi Meridith (ND) 6-4

No. 5 - Hannah Mowrer (K) def. Hannah Whitten (ND) 7-5

JUNIOR VARSITY DOUBLES

No. 1 - Meagan Pickens-Annalyse Todd (K) def. MCDonald-Dorroh (ND) 7-6 (7-3)

No. 2 - Mary Grace Collins-Kamryn Jaco (K) def. Southard-Terry (ND) 6-0

No. 3 - Molly McClain-Makaylee Richmond (K) def. Dirnbergery-Callow (ND) 6-3

No. 4 - Floyd-Anderson (ND) def. Tahmyia Mitchell-Cheyenenne Pittman (K) 6-4

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JV FOOTBALL: Kennett 22, Cape Central 0

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett’s Marsayv’ann Harrell rushes the ball past the Cape Central defense in a junior varsity football contest Monday night at Metz Cherry Stadium in Kennett. The Indians beat Cape Central 22-0 in junior varsity football. Kennett’s next junior varsity football game is Aug. 28 at Sikeston.

The Kennett junior varsity football beat Cape Central 22-0 in its season opener Monday night at Metz Cherry Stadium.

Kennett recorded two touchdowns in the first half and added another score in the second half.

Kennett (1-0) is back in action Aug. 28 when it visits Sikeston.