Dexter downs NMCC to reach semifinals

There were no surprises Monday at the Class 3, District 1 volleyball tournament at Dexer's Bearcat Event Center as the MSHSAA playoffs opened across the state.

While Class 3, District 1 top seed Notre Dame Regional High School was home resting with a bye, the other six teams were battling for a spots in the semifinals.

No. 2 Perryville defeated No. 4 Fredericktown, 25-16, 25-15, while No. 3 Dexter scored a 25-15, 25-6 win over No. 6 MNCC to round out one semifinal bracket.

No. 4 Kennett avenged a regular season loss to No. 5 Doniphan with a 25-20, 25-11 win and earned the right to take on Notre Dame in the other semifinal

Tonight's schedule at the BEC will start with the Notre Dame-Kennett match at 5:30. That will be followed by the Perryville-Dexter clash at 6:45.

The title game is set for approximatley 8 o'clock.

Dexter fell behind 2-0 to start Game 1 against NMCC, but then reeled off the next six points. The Lady Bearcats began to build momentum to take Game 1, then crushed the Lady Eagles in Game 2.

Dexter (21-8) enjoyed the return of sophomore hitter Jessica Lindsey to the lineup for the district tournament. Lindsey has missed most of the season with a high-ankle sprain.

Lindsey finished with six kills (1 block), while junior Hannah Noe paced the Lady 'Cats with a team-high 10. Junior Paige Patterson charted five kills, while sophomore Shyann Jines led the team in assists with 11, followed by Alyssa Spears with seven.

Second-seeded Perryville (21-8) reached the semifinals with a sweep of Fredericktown.

The Lady Pirates advanced with a 25-16, 25-15 victory over No. 7 Fredericktown to reach the semifinal match up against Dexter.

Perryville's Alex Spears tallied 11 kills, while Kaylie Hadler had four kills and three digs in the victory. Libbi Schnurbusch also contributed with six digs.

The Kennett Lady Indians volleyball team moved one step closer to its first district title since 2005 when it beat Doniphan 25-20, 25-11.

Fourth-seeded Kennett (14-11) will play top-seeded Notre Dame (30-2-1) semifinal contest at the Bearcat Event Center. Notre Dame is currently ranked No. 2 in the latest Class 3 state volleyball rankings provided by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association. The two teams did not play in the regular-season.

Class 2 District 2

Third-seeded Woodland defeated No. 6 Charleston 25-9, 21-25, 25-12 to advance to today's semifinals in Scott City.

The host Rams, the fifth seed, lost in three sets to No. 4 Puxico, 23-25, 25-22, 18-25.

Puxico will play top-seeded Saxony Lutheran in today's first semifinal at 5 p.m. Woodland and No. 2 Clearwater will follow at 6 p.m. The championship game is set for 7:30 p.m.

Class 1, District 4

Third-seeded St. Vincent upended No. 2 seed Leopold 25-19, 25-23 to reach the championship game in Advance, Mo.

The Indians will face top-seed and host Advance in today's 6 p.m. championship match. The Hornets will be seeking their 13th district title.

Fifth-seeded Meadow Heights upended No. 4 Oak Ridge 14-25, 25-20, 25-20 in the quarterfinal round before falling to Advance in the semifinals. The Hornets won 25-3, 25-17.

Aimie Simmers had five kills, three blocks and three assists for the Hornets, while Ashtyn Hudson dished out five assists. Liza Gray had nine kills, and Haley Kennison had four kills.

Class 1 District 3

Fifth-seeded Zalma reached the semifinals with a three-game victory against Marquand in Lesterville, Mo.

Zalma dropped the first game 23-25 but rebounded to win 25-22, 25-10.

The Bulldogs will face top-seeded Lesterville at 6 p.m. today. The championship is slated for 8 p.m.

NOTE: For a complete list of district results from the Southeast Missouir area, see page 7 of the Daily Statesman under the Scoreboard.

Jerry Jarrell photo - Eye on the ball: Dexter's Hannah Noe watches one of her hits during district volleyball action Monday at the Bearcat Event Center. Noe, a junior, led the Lady 'Cats with a team-high 10 kills in a win over New Madrid County Central.

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