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Kelly expands athletic offerings, adds wrestling and volleyball (5/4/24)BENTON, Mo. — Kelly High School is expanding its sports program, adding wrestling and volleyball teams starting in the 2024-2025school year. This move provides new opportunities for student-athletes and aligns with the school's growing enrollment. “These two sports are great additions to our school and athletic program,” said Kelly Athletic Director Melanie Heuring. ...
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Fred Garmon is new Hayti AD (4/26/24)Kennett High School class of 2011 grad and former Indians basketball head coach Fred Garmon confirmed Friday that he accepted the Athletic Director position at Hayti R-II School District. More on the announcement as the story develops.
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Local rivals collide in historic volleyball match (4/3/24)For the first time since the Missouri High School Athletic Association declared boys’ volleyball an official sport, Saxony Lutheran and Notre Dame clashed on the court on Tuesday, April 2, at Notre Dame High School. Saxony Lutheran defeated Notre Dame in four sets (25-17, 25-17, 19-25, 25-16) and have won every match so far to start the season 5-0...
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Saxony rolls Fox in first MSHSAA-sanctioned volleyball match (3/22/24)The Saxony Lutheran Crusaders boys volleyball team defeated Fox 3-0 on Thursday at Saxony Lutheran High School. The Crusaders cruised to their second win of the season, winning each set 25-8, 25-10 and 25-14. The Missouri High School Athletic Association declared boys volleyball an official sport at the end of last season, making this Saxony’s first MSHSAA official home boys volleyball match...
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Notre Dame boys to build off loss in historical volleyball season opener (3/17/24)Notre Dame and St. Francis Borgia made history on Saturday afternoon, taking the floor for the first MSHSAA-regulated varsity boys volleyball game in Southeast Missouri history. Notre Dame (0-1) came up short, dropping the contest in four sets as the Knights stormed back from a few early deficits to take a 3-1 victory...
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Advance VB star to venture far from home for next challenge (3/14/24)Following the final volleyball match of her incredibly storied career, Advance High School senior Lexi Hoffman spoke of the influence that her mother, Hornet coach Erin Hoffman, had on her throughout her athletic career and life. “It’s probably the best thing that I have experienced,” Lexi said of playing for her mother.
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Alandry Below commits to SEMO Volleyball (3/2/24)After two years in the Mineral Area College volleyball program, Advance alum Alandry Below announced her commitment to the Southeast Missouri State Volleyball program. Below’s decision ultimately came down to proximity to home. “There’s not much thought into it,” Below said. “I wanted to be close to home. I’m already an hour and a half away at MAC but I wanted to be closer.”...
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Collier signs letter of intent (2/23/24)Risco High School's Natalie Collier committed to playing volleyball at Williams Baptist University at Walnut Ridge, Ark., under Coach Michelle Lawson. Collier plans to major in Sports Management and Marketing while attending university. Pictured, front row from left, are: Monica Collier (mom), Natalie Collier, Risco head volleyball coach Jessie King; (back row, from left) Risco Athletic Director Brandon Blankenship, Risco Schools Supt. Dr. Amy Baker, Risco Assistant Coach Jon Smith...
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Dexter scorer always seeking growth, competition on the court (2/4/24)DEXTER – It has been an up-and-down season for the Dexter High School girl’s basketball season, and the Bearcats’ 10-9 mark is evidence of that. However, a bright spot all winter for the squad has been the scoring of junior guard Kate Nichols.
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SEMO, Jackson volleyball pipeline continues with St. John commitment (1/18/24)Junior Jackson volleyball standout Katy St. John made her college choice official on Wednesday morning as she solidified her commitment to Southeast Missouri State University. Announcing via Instagram that she’d further her volleyball career with the Redhawks, she joins senior teammate Holland Guilliams among recent Indians to commit to the program...
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2023 Review: St. Vincent VB seniors guide Indians back to success (1/1/24)The attention emanating through the halls of St. Vincent High School this autumn centered on the incredible success of the football program, which advanced to the MSHSAA Class 1 State Semifinal before falling to Marionville, and with good reason. However, the success on the gridiron didn’t diminish the fact that the Indians’ volleyball squad enjoyed its most successful season in six seasons.
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2023 Review: New Dexter VB coach handles pressure, meets expectations (12/24/23)This fall a new era for Dexter High School volleyball got underway, and there was no hiding the expectations that were heaped upon first-time head coach Haylee Orf.
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Caruthersville leader finds disciplinary action for his student-athletes 'hard to swallow' (12/7/23)One week following a “physical confrontation” at the Bulldog Classic basketball tournament at Gideon High School, which resulted in all Caruthersville Junior High and High School athletic teams being suspended from competition within the Bootheel Athletic Conference throughout the remainder of the 2023-24 academic year, the conference issued information regarding the matter.
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Doniphan VB coach to follow new path, but not without emotions (11/18/23)The months of October and November for high school sports are a confluence of emotions.
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Dexter hitter tames competitiveness (sort of), joins 'Cat libero on SCAA VB squad (11/18/23)When the 2023 Dexter High School volleyball program opened this past season by losing 6 of its initial 7 matches, the odds that the Bearcats would reach their 13th consecutive winning season didn’t appear to be great. However, first-year coach Haylee Orf got the team pointed in the right direction and guided it to 16 victories in its final 24 matches for a 17-14 season.
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Oak Ridge's Reagan Howe named Class 1 All-State (11/15/23)Oak Ridge volleyball junior Reagan Howe was named among the Class 1 All-State Team by the Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Howe was the centerpiece of a Blue Jays team that finished the season 16-12-1 and in the C1D4 championship game. She led the team with 365 kills, the eighth-best hitting percentage in the state at .399, and 56 blocks...
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Bluff Impact Volleyall hosting tryouts Sunday (11/10/23)The Bluff Impact club volleyball program will have tryouts this Sunday at Poplar Bluff Junior High School.
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Post-championship emotions tell the story of love between coach and player/daughter (11/6/23)There are two ways that a parent coaching their child, let alone simply raising them, can go: good or bad. And there usually isn’t an in-between point, though the positive relationship isn’t going to evolve without some bumps along the way.
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State-title winning Bell City VB squad gathers once again with legendary coach (11/6/23)Saturday proved to be an emotional day for veteran volleyball coach Erin Hoffman, as she got to enjoy the experience of being around an MSHSAA state championship-winning group of athletes.
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C1 VB State Final: Advance handles success flawlessly in dominating title run (11/6/23)Throughout the history of sports, there has been no shortage of teams carrying expectations that overwhelm the group prior to it achieving what every follower had believed was a foregone conclusion. That couldn’t have been more clearly exhibited than on Saturday in a pair of contests that took place simultaneously about a mile apart on the campus of Southeast Missouri State.
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C1 VB State Finals: Advance looks every bit the MSHSAA power in semi rout (11/4/23)The Advance High School volleyball program is going for its fifth MSHSAA Class 1 Volleyball state championship in the past six seasons this weekend, and in Friday’s semifinal win over Galena, the Hornets looked every bit of the part of a Missouri powerhouse that they are.
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Shipman wraps up first season as Mules Volleyball coach (11/3/23)Being a first-year coach entails a wide range of emotions, especially in a new sport. Poplar Bluff High School’s new volleyball coach stepped into unfamiliar territory this season with hopes of laying a foundation for many seasons to come. Twin Rivers graduate Summer Shipman recently wrapped up her first season as the Lady Mules’ head volleyball coach, and with little to no experience with coaching the sport, Shipman took the challenge head-on...
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Lady Tigers lead All-District SB nods (11/3/23)The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules softball team put two players on the All-Conference First Team as Neelyville had four earn All-District First Team honors. The Doniphan Donettes had three players earn All-District Firsr-Team while Twin Rivers’ Alexis Parson made the team for the Lady Royals...
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Nerves are no issue for experienced Advance VB at this point (11/2/23)There aren’t very many high school volleyball teams that give much thought to how they are playing in the month of November, as almost all of the teams throughout Missouri have concluded their seasons at this point. Having said that, the Advance High School program isn’t like most of its peers.
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Jackson’s Nadia Wasilewski reaches 1,000 kill mark (11/1/23)Jackson’s Nadia Wasilewski eclipsed 1,000 career kills during the Class 5 District 1 tournament against Northwest (Cedar Hill). Wasilewski, a four-year starter for the Indians, said the milestone means a lot to her. “Obviously every high school volleyball player wants to reach that goal,” Wasilewski said. “I’m very proud of myself and I feel like I’ve accomplished so much and it just means a lot to myself and my younger self that I reached that goal.”...
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Kellams selected Bootheel Coach of the Year, Dobbins named POY (11/1/23)Portageville volleyball head coach Sasha Kellams has established herself as one of the best in the business, winning Bootheel Conference Coach of the Year for the third straight season. “It means a lot to me,” Kellams said. “However, I wouldn’t be the coach I am without the people that I have in my corner and the amazing athletes that I get to coach, my administrators at Portageville High School, my assistant (Terri Stone), my former coach (Barry Branscum) who is my mentor throughout this journey, my husband and family members, and ultimately, God. ...
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COLUMN: Scott City VB has plenty to be proud of (10/29/23)Tears flow down the faces on both sides of the net. For Arcadia Valley, it's tears of joy, as the Tigers advance to the Class 2 semifinals for the first time since finishing 2nd in 2018. For Scott City, the tears come from the agony of defeat. A straight-set loss (20-25, 21-25, 17-25) on Saturday in Scott City brings the Rams' dream season to a thudding finale in the Class 2 quarterfinals...
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Jackson volleyball falls in sectional (10/28/23)The Jackson Indians volleyball team’s season ended on Saturday at the hands of Lafayette High School out of Wildwood, Missouri. The Lancers are the defending Class 5 State Champions and put away the Indians in straight sets, a repeat of last season...
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Saxony Lutheran falls in quarterfinals (10/28/23)The Saxony Lutheran Crusaders fell in the Class 3 State quarterfinals 3-1 at the hands of the Ursuline Academy Bears. The Crusaders won the first set 25-21 before losing the next three sets by scores of 25-22, 25-21 and 25-22. Both teams played a dynamic game at the net, with both teams racking up blocks...
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Scott City knocks out Portageville in sectional round (10/27/23)PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Scott City burst onto the court with the energy of a supernova and laser-like focus as the team executed its game plan with precision and flair in a 3-0 win at Portageville in the MSHSAA Class 2 Sectional Round on Thursday, October 26...
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Crusaders overcome slow start to down Valle Catholic (10/27/23)The Saxony Lutheran Crusaders overcame a slow start to down the Valle Catholic Warriors 3-1 in the Class 3 Sectionals on Thursday at Saxony Lutheran High School. The Crusaders struggled for most of set one before battling back to tie the set before eventually dropping set one 25-21...
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C1S2 VB: Advance fights off competitive St. Vincent (10/27/23)ADVANCE – There is an adage that history seldom repeats, but it often rhymes. However, in the case of Advance High School volleyball battling St. Vincent in the postseason, it turns out that history does repeat.
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Saxony Lutheran wins fourth consecutive district title over Notre Dame (10/25/23)Two of the top teams in the area battled for the Class 3 District 1 championship on Tuesday in Dexter. In the end, it was the Saxony Lutheran Crusaders prevailing with a 3-0 win over the Notre Dame Bulldogs. The win was the fourth-consecutive district title for the Crusaders as they have seen a plethora of success with the seniors class of Annie Adams, Clara Brune, Leah Fritsche, Landre Hoehne, Callie King, Grace Ozark, Paige Seibel and Katie Swain...
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St. Vincent set for battle with experienced Advance group (10/25/23)After a battle with Oak Ridge to win the Class 1 District 4 title, the road for the St. Vincent Indians only gets tougher. The Indians are set to begin play in the Class 1 State Tournament at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, when they battle with the defending state champion Advance Hornets...
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District Dominators: Portageville claims third consecutive championship with win over East Prairie (10/24/23)MALDEN, Mo. — Three proved to be the magic number for Portageville volleyball on Monday, October 23, as the team continued its reign of terror in the district, defeating East Prairie in straight sets to claim a third consecutive MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Championship...
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Oak Ridge volleyball ‘set new precedents’ in Starla Pulley‘s first year as coach (10/24/23)A young Oak Ridge volleyball team took St. Vincent to the brink in the third set of the Class 1 District 4 championship game on Oct. 21. The Indians won the third set 28-26 to win in straight sets and claim their third straight district title, but the Blue Jays made sure they earned their dynasty...
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Lady Bearcats fall to Notre Dame in district semis (10/24/23)A comeback story ends in defeat. The Dexter Lady Bearcats pushed Notre Dame to their limits in the semifinals of the Class 3 District 1 volleyball tournament, but it wouldn’t be enough to move on to the next round. After a clean 3-0 sweep on Doniphan in the quarterfinals, the Lady Bearcats entered Monday’s matchup with a lot of confidence. Despite their efforts, they would fall to number one seeded Notre Dame 3-1 (25-14, 25-15, 25-17 and 25-22)...
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Hot VB squads Bell City, Gideon on C1D2 championship collision course (10/23/23)It absolutely is NOT an impossible task for the Gideon High School volleyball squad to get past Bell City in the championship match of the MSHSAA Class 1 District 2 Tournament.
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Dexter VB is 'confident' in C3D1 semifinal match with talented ND (10/23/23)DEXTER – For the second time in five days, the Dexter High School volleyball team has to face an incredibly good Notre Dame squad, which has already beaten the Bearcats twice this season. However, that doesn’t mean that there is a lack of confidence floating throughout the Dexter locker room.
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C1D4: St. Vincent sweeps Oak Ridge to claim three-peat (10/21/23)While the St. Vincent Indians took care of the Oak Ridge Blue Jays in three sets, the match itself was closer than the scoreboard shows. After defeating the Blue Jays 25-20 and 25-17 in the first two sets, the Indians rolled to start set three before the Blue Jays stormed back late in set three to push the Indians on their heels...
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C3D1 VB: Dexter disposes of competitive Doniphan in postseason opener (10/20/23)DEXTER – First-year Dexter High School volleyball coach Haylee Orf has stated for nearly three months that she wants her team to be playing its best volleyball at this point of the season, and the Bearcats exhibited a lot of their potential in their postseason opening match on Thursday.
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Dexter VB aims to 'finish strong' through another winning season (10/19/23)First-year Dexter High School volleyball coach Haylee Orf said at the beginning of the 2023 season that she wanted her team to improve as the fall went on, and to be playing its best volleyball at the end of the season.
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Lady Mules season ends (10/19/23)CEDAR HILL — The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules had their season come to an end on Wednesday as they fell to Seckman in the first round of the Class 5, District 1 Volleyball Tournament in Cedar Hill. Seckman took the match 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23) to end the Lady Mules’ season at 9-18-3 on the year...
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Missourian prep sports roundup, Oct. 17: Notre Dame softball downs Farmington to win district title (10/18/23)Notre Dame (20-12) scored some runs early, but the Bulldogs’ five-run seventh inning put the icing on the cake for their district championship win against Farmington (21-8) on Tuesday, winning 10-4. After downing 25-5 Hillsboro on Monday, Notre Dame took care of business in a big win against Farmington to secure its second consecutive district title and the fourth in the past five seasons...
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Dexter senior hitter making impact up front despite obstacle in size (10/16/23)After serving as an assistant coach with the program for several years before this fall, first-year Dexter High School head volleyball coach Haylee Orf knew the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s team instantaneously.
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Sikeston finishes regular season with Pink Out win over NMCC (10/13/23)SIKESTON — The Sikeston volleyball team made a statement, both on the court and in the community at the Fieldhouse on Thursday, October 12. The Lady Bulldogs (8-16-2) won 3-1 over the New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles (11-15-0) in the annual Pink Out Game, raising money and awareness for breast cancer...
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SCAA: Dexter, Bell City battle in epic 5-set thriller (10/13/23)ESSEX – There is certainly no theme park being constructed in the Bootheel burg of Essex anytime soon (though the nice convenience store has been rebuilt after a fire earlier this year). However, any carnival ride wouldn’t do the emotional rollercoaster that took place on Wednesday in the gym of Richland High School any justice.
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SCAA: Hornets set for title-game rematch with Bearcats (10/13/23)ESSEX – The Advance High School volleyball train continues its chug-along path toward another title tonight, as the Hornets will battle Dexter in the championship game of the Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament at Richland High School at 8:30 p.m.
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Perryville, St. Vincent cap VB season with milestone moments (10/13/23)Anytime a player, especially a senior, reaches a career milestone during the regular season, it is a boost for the status of the volleyball program and the spirit of the team. Perryville defeated rival St. Vincent in five sets on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Perry Park Center in Perryville, Mo. In the process, senior Ana Moll set the school career record for digs with 857 thanks to a career-high 35 digs against the Indians...
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Sikeston seniors shine despite loss (10/12/23)SIKESTON — The Sikeston volleyball team’s senior night ended on a somber note as the Lady Bulldogs (7-16-2) were unable to overcome Kennett, leaving the senior players with a mix of pride and disappointment. The Lady Indians (9-12-4) won with set scores of 25-17, 25-20, 19-25 and 25-10 at the Fieldhouse on Tuesday, October 10...