Prep Net Round-up: Lady Owls get tough win at Mexico

MEXICO -- The short-handed Marshall volleyball team had difficult getting in sync Thursday, but still pulled out a 25-22, 18-25, 25-19 NCMC decision at Mexico.

The Lady Owls (11-11-1, 4-5 NCMC) were playing without senior middle Morgan Ryther, suffering from an illness which kept her out of this match and will likely also sideline her for the Versailles Tournament on Saturday.

"By Game 3, these girls had played in rotations they were not used to," noted Marshall head coach Gentry Lark. "They finally came together in the end and won the game."

Fortunately, junior Becca Keller -- who also has had her bout with the flu bug this season -- took up the slack and pounded down 13 shots, while also coming up with 11 digs.

"In several volleys she was our go-to girl," Lark said. "She was doing her job reading tips, covering and maintaining consistency and great ball placement on the court."

Senior Kim Deutsch "was digging up passes out of nowhere," according to Lark, while recording 11 saves and junior Susan Skogsberg had four kills and two key blocks "that aided in swinging momentum out way."

Senior Siara Campbell had six service points, dropping in three aces on the Lady Bulldogs (2-16, 1-6), while senior Aubrie Plummer assisted 14 of Marshall's 26 kills.

Sweet Springs 2, Windsor 1

SWEET SPRINGS -- Senior Kathleen Tyler was all over the court Thursday as Sweet Springs raised its I-70 Conference record to .500 with a 23-25, 25-23, 25-23 home win over Windsor (4-14-1, 1-5 I-70).

Tyler's six kills, nine digs, three aces and 11 assists were critical in the Lady Greyhounds' come-from-behind victory -- as were the six shots and seven set-ups provided by junior Chelsea Hollrah.

Senior Kim Rennison, who is averaging a team-high 3.5 digs per game this season, came up with 13 saves and senior Kristin Jones added four kills, five digs and four blocks.

Sweet Springs (8-9-1, 3-3) will be in action Saturday at the Lone Jack Tournament.

St. Mary's 2, Santa Fe 0

ALMA -- Despite 11 kills from junior Molly Sander, Santa Fe was unable to get past St. Mary's of Independence during Thursday's 25-20, 25-20 non-conference home loss.

The Lady Trojans (17-3), ranked fifth in this week's Class 2 poll, were missing four players due to the flu.

Junior Anna Sleeper put together a solid game for the Lady Chiefs with three kills, five digs and 16 assists and sophomores Lauren Zitelman and Lindsey Pemberton combined for seven spikes and seven saves.

Santa Fe (12-9-7) will close out I-70 Conference play Tuesday at Windsor.