SEMO Conference VB Roundup: Cape scares defending champ before falling

Cape Central's Maddie Thomas (14) bumps a ball along with several of her Tiger teammates hitting the floor to keep a possession alive during a semifinal match with Jackson during the SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament Thursday at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex.

Tony Capobianco ~ Tcapobianco@semoball.com

It took a big rally for Jackson to earn a shot to defend their title in the championship game of the SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament Thursday at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex.

Cape Central came within a point of eliminating the defending champion in a semifinal of the two-day tournament.

The Tigers won the opening set 26-24 and enjoyed a 24-20 lead in the second set after it scored consecutive points on a kill and a block by Ella Vogel.

Jackson followed by taking the next four points to tie things up at 24 before Cape Central earned another opportunity to finish things when it went up 25-24 on a kill by Vogel.

But Jackson scored the next three points in a spurt that included a pair of aces by Hannah Shinn to take the second set 27-25.

Jackson carried its momentum into the third set as it jumped out to a 10-2 lead and eventually led by as much as 17-5.

Cape Central managed to cut the deficit as close as 24-18 but never got closer. Jackson took the third set 25-18 and won the three-set semifinal against Cape Central 24-26, 27-25, 25-18.

“I’m trying to think back in my coaching career and I don’t think I’ve ever had a team come from behind 24-20 to win a set like we did in the second set against Cape Central tonight,” Jackson coach David Mirly said. “To actually win when you are down that much is remarkable because there is no room for error. Our girls just kept battling and made it happen tonight.”

Cape Central made it clear from the get-go Jackson was in for a battle as it opened up a 9-3 lead in the opening set.

The Indians eventually managed to tie things up at 24 but Cape Central followed with a kill and ace serve to take the first set in extra points.

“Our girls came out hungry and ready to play,” Cape Central coach Haley Silman said. “They just stepped up tonight. This was our first game with our entire roster back after quarantine and I’m just so proud of their effort tonight.”

Notre Dame's Delaney Dohogne returns a serve, during a match against Sikeston in the 2020 SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex.
Alex Wallner ~ Standard-Democrat

Bulldogs beat 'Bluff

Notre Dame won the other semifinal against Poplar Bluff 25-14, 25-14.

The Bulldogs finished each set strong. They closed out the first set on an 11-3 run and finished the second set on a 14-3 run.

Sikeston's Heidi Self celebrates after a point, during a match against Cape Central in the 2020 SEMO Conference Volleyball Tournament Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau SportsPlex.
Alex Wallner ~ Standard-Democrat

Romps early

All four quarterfinals were decided in straight sets.

Cape Central defeated Scott City 25-9, 25-14, Jackson disposed of Sikeston 25-6, 25-4, Poplar Bluff edged Kennett 25-20, 25-20, and Notre Dame beat Oran 25-6, 25-8.

Sikeston won a play-in game against Charleston 25-10, 25-15 in the first game played Thursday to reach the quarterfinals.