C3D1VB: Dexter survives challenge from upstart Kennett

The Dexter High School volleyball squad celebrates winning a point against Kennett on Monday at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter in the semifinal round of the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Tournament.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

DEXTER – The Dexter High School volleyball squad has been in pursuit of excellence since last spring when the offseason got underway.

The Bearcats (24-4-1) have won the most games since 2017 team (27-5-2), but more importantly, haven’t won a MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 title since 2020.

That desire to reclaim that trophy weighed on the Bearcat athletes’ minds, particularly early, in Monday’s 3-0 semifinal win over Kennett at the Bearcat Event Center.

“I think these girls were putting too much pressure on themselves,” second-year Dexter coach Haylee Orf said following the win. “They want (the District title) so bad.”

Dexter survived the Indians 27-25, 25-22, 25-5 to advance to today’s championship match against Notre Dame (23-8-1) at 6 p.m.

Kennett (18-16-1) jumped out quickly for a 3-0 lead in the first set and led 6-3 when the Bearcats ran off four straight points to reclaim a 7-6 advantage.

The two teams battled with Kennett taking an 11-8 lead, but Dexter fought back and led 17-14.

The set was tied at 19 and Kennett took a 22-20 lead and Orf called a timeout.

“We were having trouble talking and coming together,” Orf said.

Kennett High School junior setter Lilli Wilson sets a ball for a teammate against Dexter on Monday at the Bearcat Event Center in Dexter in the semifinal round of the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 Tournament. (Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com)

The Bearcats rallied for a 23-22 advantage, but Kennett had ties at 24 and 25 before the hosts scored a couple of points to grab the set.

“That was our first District game,” Orf said. “I hate to make any excuses, but that was rough.”

Dexter, despite falling to Notre Dame 3-0 five days earlier, is the top seed in the tournament and had a bye into the semifinals.

The second set wasn’t any easier.

Dexter took a 4-0 lead, but the Indians, which won the most games this season since 2020 (21-9-1), scored eight consecutive points to double up Dexter.

Kennett still led 11-6 when Dexter scored six consecutive points to take a 12-11 lead.

The Indians clung to an 18-17 advantage, but the Bearcats scored three straight points and still led 22-20 later.

After the Indians had tied the set at 22, Dexter strung together three straight winning points for a 2-0 margin.

“I can’t leave here disappointed,” second-year Kennett coach Kristy Green said following the match. “We played two great sets. We played some pretty good volleyball.”

The third set was all Bearcats, as they easily took the match.

“Once (the players) finally relaxed and realized it was OK,” Orf said, “we had everything to gain, and a little bit to lose, but everything to gain, once they finally relaxed, they settled in.”

The Bearcats will face the Bulldogs, which beat Dexter 3-0 five days earlier in Cape Girardeau.

Notre Dame disposed of defending champion Saxony Lutheran 3-0 in the other semifinal.

“These girls on their A game,” Orf said, “I know they can get it done.”

Kennett improved from 10 wins a year ago to 18 this fall and doesn’t have a senior on its roster.

“Our theme this year was to elevate,” Green said of her team striving to improve in all facets of play. “I picked that theme very specifically for this group. Last year, we had freshman and sophomores only, playing varsity.

“They battled. They went through a lot of tough losses. They won some sets. Our youth would really show up. This year, we would push through and grow through that and work together mentally to get more mentally tough.”