Portageville falls to Jefferson in sectional 25-15, 25-18

sports@standard-democrat.com

PORTAGEVILLE -- Portageville High School may be glad the weekend is over.

It all started with their softball team's controversial semifinal finish in Springfield and later that night the football team's season ended with a shutout on it's home field to Hayti.

Saturday was the last hope for Portageville and it's volleyball team to bring some happiness to a suffering sports community. They came up just short during their Class 2 sectional against Jefferson 25-15, 25-18.

Jefferson went on to play in the quarterfinals against Bloomfield later that same day. Bloomfield won in three sets to make the Class 2 state tournament Friday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

"It went from an ultimate high for us with everything going on to it not working out the way we wanted," Portageville head coach Barry Branscum said. "But if you drive through town there was so much excitement throughout the community. There's a lot of good things happening here and we're very thankful for that. We have a lot of great kids here at Portageville High School."

It looked as if Portageville (24-5-1) was on the right track to reverse some of its misfortune of late. They quickly started with an 8-2 run in the first set taking advantage of a Jefferson team who had a setback during it's two hour trip to Portageville

Portageville's Sasha Starnes receives a pass Saturday during their Class 2 sectional game at Portageville High School. (Chris Pobst photo)

Portageville's Sasha Starnes receives a pass Saturday during their Class 2 sectional game at Portageville High School. (Chris Pobst photo)

"We literally got off the bus and played," Jefferson head coach Ashleigh Nagal said.. "That was evident in the first 10 points of the ball game. We had a lot nerves coursing through us where we had felt calm and in control before."

Jefferson's fortunes turned just as quickly though erasing its six-point deficit to 12-9 and then tying it at 14-all. Jefferson scored the next three points by attacking the middle of Portageville's defense. Tips played a huge part in the comeback bid after hammering at Portageville's stout defense early on.

"That's typically not our strategy," Nagal said about attacking the middle of the court. "We didn't have our legs under us. We were aware that they were weak at the net, blocking-wise. Our plan was to attack."

After falling behind 17-14, Portageville called a much-needed timeout to regroup. Jefferson (20-13-2) continued it's resurgence, however, to claim the first set 25-15.

"They adjusted when we jumped out to a big lead," Branscum said. "For several points we were back on our heels because they had been hitting it really well and that caused us to stay back. To their credit, they did a good job of tipping."

After falling behind by two points early in the second set, Portageville rallied for a 10-7 advantage. Jefferson tied the set at 13-13 behind kills from middle hitter Hilah Fish, then took complete control capping a a 5-0 run at 18-13.

"She has that ability," Nagal said about Fish. "We have about four of them that we depend on to do that."

They exchanged the next five points prompting a Portageville timeout at 20-16.

"Jefferson had some players that could get over our block," said Branscum. "When you have that it causes problems for our defense."

Portageville's Caroline Samples (5), Brittany Bessenger (back) and Madi Barham (front) react after losing to Jefferson in two sets Saturday during their Class 2 sectional game at Portageville High School. (Chris Pobst photo)

Portageville's Caroline Samples (5), Brittany Bessenger (back) and Madi Barham (front) react after losing to Jefferson in two sets Saturday during their Class 2 sectional game at Portageville High School. (Chris Pobst photo)

Jefferson closed out the set and the match with a 25-18 win.

"We knew that they could really hit, they could jump well and they're technique is good," Branscum said. "They lived up to what we have heard. They're a well coached team who didn't make a lot of mistakes."

Brittany Bessenger led Portageville with five kills. Caroline Samples added three kills and was a constant on defense with 13 digs. Sasha Starnes chipped in 10 digs and Molly Frakes finished with eight assists.

"At the end of the day, they made more plays than we did," Branscum said. "I thought our team played extremely well and I don't think we have anything to hang our heads about. Our effort was there from everybody and I couldn't have asked for anything else from them."

Portageville will graduate eight seniors, who won it's first district championship last season and repeated the feat Tuesday night against New Madrid County Central. They also finished as the regular season Bootheel Conference champions as well as the silver bracket winners at the Dig for Life tournament in Cape Girardeau.

"We're really going to miss our seniors," said Branscum. "They brought great work ethic and just a willingness to do what they were asked to do. I'm really blessed to have coached them. I think we represented ourselves and our school extremely well. I'm so thankful for the support that has been shown. Our crowd has been fantastic the last few games and that's something that hasn't always been the case for volleyball. These kids created some excitement in our school for volleyball."