Hunters into district semifinals, Central and NC lose in three

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

DE SOTO — Ste. Genevieve established a high energy level from the opening rally on Tuesday night, and cruised into the semifinal round of the Class 3, District 2 volleyball tournament by downing Potosi 25-9, 25-16.

Middle blocker Anna Sedgwick knocked down nine kills in the victory, and was the offensive focal point for the Hunters (19-11) during a seven-point scoring streak in game one.

Ste. Genevieve played without primary setter Kristen Faulkner following an ankle injury in practice, but received a solid effort from Sarah Steagall and Emily Schwent, who combined for 18 total assists.

Liz Huck served two aces and libero Gwen Dallas made eight digs for the third-seeded Hunters, who will challenge Perryville tonight at 6 p.m. Elle Korenak contributed five kills and Laura Rhodes had four.

Potosi (11-15-1) struggled to handle the short cross-court attacking of Sedgwick in the early moments, and often failed to develop its own scoring threat on plays where setter Jordan Harbison was forced to make digs.

The Lady Trojans managed only three kills during the opening stanza, and trailed 20-7 following a deep spike by Rhodes after being stuffed by Huck on consecutive rallies.

Potosi briefly led game two after Ashley Thompson and Lindsay Harmon tipped successfully for points, but Ste. Genevieve began rolling again with prolonged serving runs by Korenak and Huck.

A remarkable one-armed dig by Korenak preceded another Sedgwick kill, and Steagall added a strong block moments later for an 18-8 advantage. Steagall served 11 points to lead all players.

Harbison posted nine assists and eight digs in her final varsity game. Kelsey Hampton and Thompson each made three kills, and Melinda Bust chipped in five digs for the Lady Trojans.

Festus 2, Central 1

DE SOTO — Central was unable to sustain the momentum from a strong first game on Tuesday, and saw its volleyball season conclude in a district opener as Festus posted a 20-25, 25-22, 25-10 comeback win.

Senior Jaycee Haus earned many of her team-high nine kills and four blocks during the early moments, as Central (16-13-2) seized control of game one with a seven-point scoring swing after trailing 16-12.

Consecutive left-side kills from Jacy Moyer helped Liz Hartupee remain at the service line until the Lady Rebels surged ahead by three, and a timely stuff by Haus would preserve the lead at 22-19.

Festus responded with solid defense and effective serving to win numerous extended rallies in game two. Two strong kills from middle hitter Breanne Borman and two aces by Chelsea Higgins gave the Lady Tigers a 12-6 margin.

Danielle Hughes sparked a Central comeback with a strong kill before saving an errant ball to earn another point, and the fifth-seeded Lady Rebels eventually pulled to within 23-22.

But Borman glanced the ensuing attack off a blocking attempt, and setter Nicollette Frey squared the match with her ace serve landed untouched.

Festus used kills from six different players to score its first nine points in game three, and would dominate the finish following a collapse in passing along the Central back row.

The Lady Tigers quickly increased a 13-10 to double figures when Borman served the final 12 points of the contest. Higgins ripped five kills down the stretch and executed a final stuff-block on match point.

Higgins and Borman each made eight kills for Festus, which will challenge heavily favored De Soto tonight in the semifinals. Frey collected 13 assists and four aces in the victory.

Tori Boyer dished out 15 assists and Moyer added six kills for Central. Hughes compiled 10 digs and Hartupee brought up seven more.

Perryville 2, North County 1

DE SOTO — North County provided more than a formidable challenge to  second-seeded Perryville through two games on Tuesday before falling 25-21, 23-25, 25-11 in district tournament action.

Junior Samantha Amberger slammed 12 kills while Natalie Bauwens and Shea Leible added seven each on 24 assists from Megan Moldenhauer, as the Lady Pirates advanced to face Ste. Genevieve tonight.

North County (6-17-1) extended numerous rallies with its defensive hustle, and earned several points on incoming missed attacks.

Abby Montgomery followed a middle kill from freshman Haley Echols with a tying ace, and the Lady Raiders surged ahead 16-15 before two blocks from Amberger enabled Perryville to capture game one.

North County continued to apply pressure during a second stanza that was tied on 12 occasions, and repeatedly traded points with Perryville after taking a 15-13 lead on two solo blocks from Mikayla Barlow.

Bauwens eventually put the Lady Pirates in front 22-21 by neatly ripping a back-set to the opposite corner, but Perryville missed a crucial serve and lost the game point when an overpass created a net violation.

Senior Logan Johnson thwarted the Lady Raiders’ upset bid by serving eight consecutive points to begin the decisive third game.

Cross-court kills from Leible and Bauwens helped the margin swell to 19-3, as Perryville remained aggressive down the stretch. Caitlyn Oberndorfer made 12 digs to pace the Lady Pirates.

Echols made six kills and Montgomery added four to pace North County. Celeste Bloom finished with eight digs and Paige Gideon added six, while setter Rilea Huff tallied 10 assists.