Sikeston ousted in districts

Tuesday, October 23, 2001

JACKSON - The Sikeston volleyball team ended its season on Monday night in Jackson, falling to the fourth-seeded Hillsboro squad 3-15, 8-15.

Sikeston, seeded fifth, finished the season at 16-16-2.

"It's always disappointing to end the season, but unless you win the whole thing then you always end with a loss," said Sikeston head coach Steve Beydler.

"When we started the season I really didn't have an kind of expectations. I wanted to stay open-minded and see what happened. This team was able to accomplish some stuff at some tournaments that other teams haven't been able to accomplish. We took a first and a second in major tournaments and took third in the conference tournament. Our regular season was a little shaky, but up and down the line this year, everyone we played had improved quite a bit this year."

Sikeston struggled with Hillsboro in the first game, but the Lady Bulldogs made a run in the second game.

"The girls played pretty well in the second game," said Beydler. "We had a problem covering tips tonight and the other team exploited that. When we finally patched the hole, it was a little too late. We ran into a very good Hillsboro team. They have a very good record and they come from an area where there are some really strong teams."

Statistically, Sikeston was led by Fleming Silverthorn (3 points, 2 aces, 2 digs, 3 assists), Emily Slaten (1 pt, 1 ace, 1 assist), Joy Daniel (2 kills), Jaime Medlin (2 kills), Summer Ray (2 pts, 1 ace, 2 digs), Rachael Vining (2 pts, 1 ace, 1 dig), Beth French (3 pts) and Stephanie Mason (1 kill).

Hillsboro will play top-seeded Farmington while No. 3 Poplar Bluff will play No. 2 Jackson tonight.

Sikeston loses four seniors in Medlin, Ray, French and Mason, so Beydler has quite a bit to work with for next season.

"I do have a strong nucleus coming back on the varsity," said Beydler.

DEXTER - The fourth-seeded New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles defeated No. 5 Kennett on Monday, 15-3, 15-6.

NMCC will play top-seeded Fredericktown tonight at 5 p.m.

"We played really well," said NMCC head coach Sonya Pixley. "We played as a team and we communicated well. I brought up a junior varsity play in Jenni Glenn and she did a great job."

Statistically, NMCC was led by Megan Lange (2 aces, 2 kills, 6 assists), Lindsey Campbell (3 aces, 1 kill, 1 assist), Kendra Gregg (3 aces, 6 kills), Ashley Brittain (3 kills, 3 assists), Elizabeth Myracle (block, 2 kills) and Glenn (2 kills, 2 assists).

"Gregg had a really good night serving and hitting," said Pixley. "We're going to need her to play like that again against Fredericktown."

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