Dexter sweeps past Sikeston in two sets

SIKESTON -- After the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs' first rotation went completely around, there were deadlocked with the visiting Dexter Lady Bearcats 8-8.

The next rotation wouldn't be as favorable to Sikeston, however, as the Lady Bearcats surged past the home team throughout the rest of the set and the match on Thursday at the Sikeston Field House.

Dexter swept the Lady Bulldogs in two sets, 25-17 and 25-20.

"I was feeling good about the way we were playing at that point," Sikeston coach Steve Beydler said. "All of a sudden, I don't know what sets in. I don't know if they start thinking about it or what. Early on, it just looked liked they were going out there and playing.

"From that point out, (Dexter) just took off. We weren't in it much after that."

Dexter flew out on 12-4 run to go up 20-12.

Sikeston managed to cut the Lady Bearcats' lead to seven, but strong performances by Dexter's hitters kept the Lady Bulldogs from drawing any closer.

"They're hitting more," Dexter coach Lauren Hutchcraft said. "They're hitting much more aggressive on the net as well as blocking too."

Jessica Lindsey led Dexter's spread attack with six kills while Brittany Harris and Lauren Ward added five.

Sikeston fell flat out of the gate during the second set. A tip by Hannah Noe put Dexter ahead 13-3, prompting a timeout by Beydler.

After the break, however, Sikeston managed to cut Dexter's lead to 15-11 at one point.

"We were really flat and nothing was happening," Beydler said. "After that timeout, they had a little bit of life again. When we start playing really well, they just settle back."

Sikeston rallied to trim the Lady Bearcats' lead to four, 24-20, but a kill by Mackenzie Mitchell ended the set and the match.

"That's the biggest question that we continue to have," Beydler said, "the only thing we're consistent at is being inconsistent. It's distressing as a coach where you see these moments where you can play with anybody, and then we have these moments where we're a jayvee squad out there."

Asia Liggins led Sikeston with eight kills while Jalen Peet and Keyonna Blissett added six and four as well.

Noe also added seven assists and seven digs while Ward had eight assists. Mitchell chipped in eight digs as well.

Dexter's junior varsity also won in two sets, 25-15 and 25-9.