Sikeston falls in two sets to visiting Bernie

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Just 24 hours after starting the season on a high note, Sikeston head coach Steve Beydler urged his players to keep that same intensity heading straight into its second game.

His young team learned quickly that the full season is a nightly grind.

Sikeston lost to visiting Bernie in two sets, 25-12 and 25-18, Tuesday at the Sikeston Field House. The loss comes one night after Sikeston pulled off a two-set victory over conference and district opponent Cape Central to open its season.

"After last night, it was exciting to start the season like that with our young team," Beydler said. "The first thing I said to them is that, 'We have to keep pushing. We can't have a let-down after that emotional night.'"

Sikeston (1-1) tapered off during the first set which was tied at 11-11 at one point. They let an early lead slip away in the second set giving Bernie its second win of the season.

"At times I thought we played really well," Beydler said. "The problem is we were playing a really good team. Ultimately, they found a way to keep the ball in play and pushed it back at us. When we were losing points against them, it was because we weren't being aggressive enough on our attack."

Kayli Tanner led Bernie with nine kills and three aces. Cymber Arnold added six kills.

Bernie (2-0) broke away from an 11-11 tie in the first set. An ace by Tanner gave Bernie a 16-11 advantage and was part of a 14-1 run to end the set.

"They continued to battle," first-year head coach Jason Long said. "We dug ourselves a hole because more than anything we had some early season mistakes. Although, that doesn't taste very good coming out of my mouth because that's an excuse. There's just things we have to get better at."

Sikeston turned the tables at the start of the second set. They scored the first four points, and with the help of a five-point serving run by Olivia Nash, Sikeston went ahead 9-3.

Bernie's Cymber Arnold (3) tips it past Sikeston's Lyndsey McClendon (18) Tuesday at the Sikeston Field House. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)

Bernie's Cymber Arnold (3) tips it past Sikeston's Lyndsey McClendon (18) Tuesday at the Sikeston Field House. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)

Sikeston held strong at 12-6, but an ace by Morgan Baker and a kill from Tanner pulled Bernie within two, 14-12, until they eventually tied the set at 15-all.

"We were playing a team that wasn't giving up," Beydler said. "I think it got to a point where when they started getting points, I felt like my team starting thinking no matter what we do, (Bernie's) still pushing it right back at us. I think that got to them and I saw a drop in energy."

Sikeston surrendered the lead at 17-16 and scored just two more points the rest of the way. Bernie ended the second set on a 9-2 run.

"They continued to battle," Long said. "We dug ourselves a hole because more than anything we had some early season mistakes. Although, that doesn't taste very good coming out of my mouth because that's an excuse. There's just things we have to get better at. All I told them is that they are going to have to play. Sometimes coaches need to just let the players play. They understood what was going on and you have to give them opportunities to play through it and that's exactly what they did."

Sikeston, who's roster has took a hit with two injuries, got three kills from Morgan Merrill and two aces from Nash and Annie Ensor. Nash also added a block.

Sikeston's only senior, Torrie Helms, played sparingly due to an injury and Morgan Poindexter was held out completely. Due to their injuries, Beydler has had to draw up new lineups to start the season.

"I saw a lot of good things and with it being this early in the season and the problems we're having with injuries right now, I couldn't be more pleased knowing we're just two games in to a very, very long process," said Beydler. "As a team, we're very young."