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SHS dominates Jackson
SIKESTON -- The Sikeston volleyball team put together one of its most complete performances of the year Tuesday evening as they dismantled conference and district foe Jackson at the Field House in straight sets.
Sikeston (9-6) controlled every phase of the match as they defeated the Lady Indians 25-10, 25-15 in front of numerous boisterous fans.
"It was exciting -- it was exciting for us, it was exciting for the fans," said Sikeston coach Steve Beydler. "The girls that are in this program know the history and this is the first time we've ever beaten Jackson. These girls were pumped and they were ready. This is a district opponent so this is especially sweet."
In the first set, Sikeston was clinging to a 7-4 lead when Kiarra Morris began to serve. By the time she was done, Sikeston led 19-4.
Morris served 13 times and registered 12 straight points to put the Lady Bulldogs in total control of the match.
"I've always said that she's got very good action on her serves," said Beydler. "Her ball floats and it moves and it really threw them off-balance and they had a lot of trouble picking her up. You could tell when she was serving they were trying to get it up and it was just going everywhere. She had 12 in a row winners and that was a boost for us."
Sikeston went on to easily win the first set.
In the second set, Sikeston only trailed in the very early stages. It didn't take long to grab control as they opened up a 10-3 lead.
Jackson managed to trim the lead to five three different times but couldn't get any closer. Sikeston maintained at least a seven-point advantage as they cruised to the 25-15 win.
"Volleyball is a game of momentum and it shifts quickly and we were able to continue that into the second set and we never turned back," said Beydler. "They had a couple people that really tried to get them back in it but we immediately came back with an answer. We had very few errors. We weren't error-free, but one of the things we work on is positioning and I think that made a difference."
Morris led the team with five aces. Martika Davis registered five kills and three blocks. Quinn Kaiser had four kills, five digs and four blocks. Rachel Beydler had four kills, 18 assists and four digs. Emily Taylor had three kills and seven digs. Caitlin Underwood had four kills and Jennifer Millington had five digs.
"This team is starting to gel and they're starting to get it, and that's the most fun thing to see -- we just can sit back and watch them go," said Beydler.
Sikeston will host Scott City on Thursday with junior varsity action starting at 6 p.m.
BENTON -- The Kelly softball team lost a home game to Poplar Bluff on Tuesday, 3-2.
Poplar Bluff scored two runs in the top of the first and never trailed in the game.
Kelly cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the first, but Poplar Bluff scored one in the fifth to extend the lead to 3-1. Kelly was able to scratch out a single run in the sixth but couldn't get a tying run across.
Kalie Hughes threw 4 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs off five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in taking the loss.
Casey Kern threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and two walks with two strikeouts.
Kelly was led in hitting by Summer Proctor, who went 2-3 with a double and two RBIs. Hughes had a double.
Kelly had eight hits in all, but had trouble stringing them together.
Kelly (18-4) plays at Perryville today at 4 p.m.