Lady Bulldogs unable to fight off NMCC

ORAN -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball team took second place in the SEMO conference tournament as they fell to New Madrid County Central 19-25, 26-24,26-24 Saturday in Oran.

Sikeston was able to advance to the championship game with a 25-16,25-15 win over the Charleston Lady Bluejays in the semifinals.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Steve Beydler feels his girls are showing signs of improvement late in the season.

"Our girls played hard in this tournament," he said. "We showed signs of putting some of the pieces together."

Beydler points out that termination of the ball is the major obstacle to his squad.

"We just have a real problem terminating the ball and scoring points," he said. "Teams who do a good job keeping the ball in play we struggle against."

Statistical leaders for Sikeston in the championship match against NMCC were : Asia Liggins (11 kills, 4 blocks, 19 digs), Keyarra Blissett (10 kills,5 blocks), Tyanne Townsend (3 kills, 3 aces, 15 digs), Vonteria Applewhite (3 blocks, 2 aces) and Mandy Moore (20 assists).

Beydler noted Liggins, who is only a freshmen, as one of his biggest offensive contributors.

"Asia Liggins has been a big offensive presence for us this year," he said. "Considering she is just a freshmen, that's great."

The Lady Bulldogs return to action Monday night as they will travel to Bell City for a rare 5-set match that will begin at 6 p.m.

Oran Softball

ASH GROVE -- The Oran Lady Eagles softball team's season ended Saturday as they fell 3-0 in the state quarterfinals to the Lady Tigers of Walnut Grove.

The Lady Eagles(12-8) gave up one run to Walnut Grove in the first and two runs in the second. The three run deficit proved to be insurmountable.

Oran head coach Sara Heisserer felt nerves played a part in the loss.

"Nerves played a big role for us," she said. "This is the first time our girls have been this far into the playoff's. We were in uncharted territory."

The Lady Eagles best chance to produce runs came in the seventh inning with runners on first and second when Taylor Tenkhoff hit a ball deep down the right field line that might have scored both runners. However, the ball fell just to the right of the foul line and Oran would not have another chance to even the score.

The Lady Eagles were led at the plate by catcher Amanda Williams, who went 2-for-3.

Heisserer said that her girls had a successful, but roller-coaster season.

"We had a rollercoaster season," she said. "We were up and down all season. However,we really stepped up in district play."

The Lady Eagles will lose three players to graduation: Tenkhoff, Kirstie Mangles, and Rachel Moore. The three girls make up the Oran outfield, so Heissereer will have to find players to fill those voids.

"Those losses will effect us," she said. "Thankfully, we have some freshmen that are eager and ready to step into those roles."

Heisserer thanked her team for their effort this year.

"Our girls gave a tremendous effort this year and should be applauded for how hard they played," she said.