Sikeston volleyball rolls in straight sets against Portageville

Staff Reports ~ Standard Democrat

PORTAGEVILLE -- The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball team was back in action as they traveled to take on the Lady Bulldogs of Portageville on Tuesday night. The Portageville Lady 'Dogs seemed to find themselves on the short end of the chain in this one as Sikeston walked away with the victory in straight sets 25-15, 25-16.

"I am very pleased with our total team effort," said Sikeston head coach Steve Beydler, "We communicated well throughout the match and our girls really stepped it up to night to come away with the win."

Sikeston, who has found themselves on the short end of available players this season, lost senior Alli Harper to a after a season-ending concussion and Casey Palmer to an ankle injury. With the injuries, Sikeston is left with only seven active players on their active roster. However, this didn't slow down the Lady 'Dogs as they came out and looked to set the tone early.

The Lady Bulldogs of Sikeston were led by the serving of Caitlyn Underwood who went 22-22 from the line with one ace, eight digs, five kills and seven blocks. The flawless serving of Underwood gave setter Rachel Beydler and spiker Martika Davis plenty of opportunities to put points on the board.

Davis finished the game 2-2 serving with five digs, 10 blocks and 19 thunderous kills while Rachel Beydler went 7-8 from the line with 14 digs, two kills, three blocks and 22 notable assists.

The duo posed as too big of a threat for the Lady 'Dogs of Portageville to overcome.

"Martika and Rachel had a great feel for one another tonight," said Beydler, "Rachel kept looking for Martika to go to as she kept putting them away.

"I give great credit to Portageville though. They are a very scrappy, competitive bunch who wouldn't give up. They also have a tremendous serve-receive defense," Beydler added.

The great serve-receive defense from Portageville held Sikeston to their lowest ace total of the season allowing them only one ace throughout the match.

Other contributions to the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs victory included Jennifer Millington who went 4-6 serving with 10 digs, four kills and six blocks, and Andrea Coleman with 6-6 serving, 13 digs, one kill, one block and two assist.

"I was very impressed with the performance of Andrea tonight," said Beydler, "She usually shuffles in and out of the line up but tonight she really stepped up and did well in the full rotation."

Also getting in on the action was Keyarra Blissett with three digs, two kills, four blocks and four assists, while Mandy Moore tacked on two digs with 5-5 serving.

The Sikeston Lady Bulldogs 9-10-2 now enjoy an eight day lay off and won't be back in action until next week as they head back on the road to take on the Lady Bulldogs of Notre Dame Wednesday, Oct 10. Varsity action is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. following junior varsity.

Notes: Rachel Beydler has hit the century mark for her high school career with over 1,000 assists with 1026. Davis also is coming up on a personal milestone as she inches closer and closer to career number 600 in the kills department.