By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, November 08, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:46 AM CDT

LEADWOOD — Kingston saw its chances of capturing an elusive opening-round victory at the Class 2, District 4 tournament increase after surviving a disputed call to seize game one from higher-seeded Grandview.

The Lady Cougars lost their momentum, however, by missing seven serves in game two, and Grandview dominated the middle stages of game three to advance with a 25-27, 25-19, 25-20 triumph on Monday night.

Junior Lacey Pashia tallied six kills during the opening stanza, and Kingston carried a 15-11 lead following an exciting scramble that sophomore Kara Missey terminated with a deflection off the net.

Grandview surged back with six consecutive points behind aggressive kills from middle hitter Lepeche Mathews and setter Kelci Evans, but tough defense sparked a Kingston counter response.

Jacie Missey spiked through a double-block and Pashia connected from the back row after making a dig during a five-point serving streak by Jessica Wicker, and the Lady Cougars enjoyed a 23-20 advantage.

Kingston thought an ensuing tip had touched the floor despite a lunging attempt to reach it by Morgan Tipton, but the whistle never blew as the ball safely drifted back over the net for a pivotal Grandview point.

Lady Cougars coach Allison Douglas immediately called timeout to help her team regroup, and Pashia delivered two clutch kills and a game-winning ace after Grandvew had pulled even at 24-24.

Pashia finished the night with nine kills and seven digs, while Jacie Missey knocked down five kills. Kara Missey posted six kills while matching Kelsey Nelson with eight digs each, and Misty Guenther made 14 assists.

Game two was tied for the ninth time at 13-13 after Kingston handed away numerous one-point leads with subsequent errant serves, and the Lady Eagles rattled off a 5-0 run to force a decisive third game.

Kingston won the longest rally of the night and kept pace in game three through 7-7 when Tiffany Yarbrough served an ace, but Grandview seized total command from there.

Strong serving from Kayla Meyer and Evans accounted for nine the next 10 points as Kingston struggled with receiving. Hailey Townsend and Mathews easily put away overpasses during that stretch to build a 16-8 margin.

Mathews notched 14 kills and Tipton made 11 digs for the third-seeded Lady Eagles, who will challenge St. Vincent tonight in the semifinal round.

Kingston achieved its highest single-season win total in school history, finishing 11-17 overall.

Crystal City 2, Arcadia Valley 0

LEADWOOD — Defensive hustle helped fourth-seeded Arcadia Valley build an early lead by winning several extended rallies on Monday, but Crystal City rode the powerful swings of its attackers to a 25-21, 25-18 triumph.

Senior Mollie Blum pounded seven kills including three straight from the left side during a key rotation, and the Hornets tallied seven consecutive points to take control midway through game one.

Caitlin McCabe added five kills with three stuff-blocks from the middle, and Sydney Compton posted five kills with eight digs, as Crystal City advanced to meet top-seeded St. Pius in the Class 2, District 4 semifinal round.

Arcadia Valley committed fewer unforced errors than its opponent to erase an early four-point deficit. A service ace from senior Carley Barton tied the score at 8-8 before the Lady Tigers surged ahead 13-11.

Crystal City earned a pivotal point when an Amanda Kilgore spike caught the near sideline, and continued its dominant spurt with Blum at the net, restoring an 18-13 advantage.

Senior Nichole Bone answered with back-to-back kills after teammate Madison Mason made an excellent clearing dig. Barton nearly brought the Lady Tigers even closer, but Compton ripped a second-chance spike to the floor to make it 21-18.

Arcadia Valley (10-16-4) needed another good effort from its defense after two overpass kills from McCabe gave the Hornets a blazing 12-4 start in game two.

Barton reduced the difference to 14-10 with a middle stuff-block, but Audrey Cooper countered with a sharp cross-court winner.

Candis Kirby made three superb digs for the Lady Tigers during one late exchange before McCabe eventually spiked a short-set for a 19-13 lead.

Mason paced Arcadia Valley with seven kills while Kirby finished with eight assists and eight digs. Bone added five kills with eight digs, and Barton brought up seven digs.

St. Vincent 2, West County 0

LEADWOOD — Scrappy play helped host West County remain within striking distance throughout most of game one during district tournament action against favored St. Vincent on Monday night.

But the second-seeded Lady Indians cleaned up some early hitting and passing errors to dominate the conclusion, and coasted into the semifinals with a 25-21, 25-8 victory.

Chelsie Boxdofer slammed many of her team-high 10 kills after a middle spike from Amanda Wengert capped a 7-1 St. Vincent start to game two.

Setter Amanda Steinbecker posted 12 assists with three service aces, and Wengert made three blocks for the Indians.

West County (6-17) notched kills from Rikki Lashley and Ashley Dane after dropping the first three points of the match, and kept pace through the midway point of game one at 12-12.

St. Vincent regained the lead when the Lady Bulldogs sent consecutive spikes into the net, and prevailed during a lengthy rally at 19-15 after having two strong attacks denied on digs by Brittany Tongay and Lashley.

Amanda Beckett brought West County within 22-20 with a block after Lashley ripped a left-side kill, but a timely solo stuff by Alanna Steinbecker converted game point for the Indians.

Lashley totaled five kills and Dane added three for the Lady Bulldogs. Tongay finished with eight digs and Felicia Crick dished out six assists.