Dexter volleyball team pounds Poplar Bluff for 11th straight win

Note: 27 Photos of the Hits for Hope Volleyball Game vs. Poplar Bluff are available in a photo gallery at this link: View Photos Here

DEXTER, Mo. - The Dexter Bearcats varsity volleyball team extended its winning streak to 11 games Thursday night with a convincing 25-16, 25-11, victory against Poplar Bluff.

"We took care of business and that's what we wanted to do," Dexter coach Carmen Morgan said. "We missed two serves on game point, which is pretty unacceptable. You get the ball over and in on game point.

"Jesse got some good hits, back row attacks and blocks," Morgan added. "We moved better, talked and did some good things. Poplar Bluff kept at it and dug up a lot of hard-hard balls."

Set 1 was tied 7-7 before a 6-0 run put Dexter on top 13-7. Dexter later doubled Poplar Bluff on the scoreboard 22-11.

Dexter scored eight straight points in set 2 to build a 15-5 lead and led by at least nine the rest of the way.

The Bearcats tallied 24 kills against Poplar Bluff.

Jessica Lindsey led the way for Dexter with 12 kills. Delaney Pullen and Shyann Jines each added five more.

Julia Hahn and Alyssa Spear each had 10 assists for the Bearcats.

Dexter improves to 22-3 with Thursday's victory.

"I want us to quicken up our game a little bit," Morgan said. "There were times we did that tonight and other times we didn't. We just keep working. This is the time we are getting excited and it is the best time of the year as far as I'm concerned. Once you get into October you are heading toward the stretch run and you've got a lot to play for. We are going to just keep pushing, working hard in practice and keep moving."

DUSTIN WARD - dward@dailystatesman.com Dexter's Jessica Lindsey blocks a ball in the varsity game.

The Dexter junior varsity improved to 16-2-1 with a 21-25, 25-13, 25-14, victory against Poplar Bluff.

"I'm glad to see them back on track," Morgan said. "They lost to Puxico the other night. We couldn't pass, serve or set. We couldn't do anything. We came out the first set tonight and pretty much did the same thing. We picked it right back up and that was important. I was proud of the fact they picked it up, started playing and played a really strong third game."

Dexter held its annual Hits for Hope Games Thursday. Spectators, players and coaches wore pink. Proceeds were donated to the 18 Fore Life Charity Foundation, which grants love offerings directly to area cancer patients.

"I think it's a really neat atmosphere for the kids," Morgan said. "They enjoy playing in this game. I know mothers were up here decorating last night and the kids stayed and helped. They do it first class. Everyone does a great job with it and I think it's for a great cause so we are always willing and ready to play in this game."

The Dexter varsity and junior varsity will both begin play in the SCAA tournaments at Bernie next week.

Top-seeded Dexter with play eighth-seeded Richland Monday at 5 p.m. in the varsity bracket.

The Dexter junior varsity will receive a first round bye. The top-seeded junior varsity Bearcats will play the winner of a quarterfinal between fourth-seeded Puxico and fifth-seeded Woodland in the semifinals. Dexter's semifinal is scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m.

"We take no one lightly," Morgan said of the tournaments. "We respect everyone and fear nobody. That's my philosophy. When you go in you better be prepared to play every game because somebody will knock you off in this game if you don't. I hope we are ready."