By Meagan Morrison

sports@joplinglobe.com

Carl Junction won the third set 25-22 to spoil Joplin’s season-opening volleyball match Tuesday night in Kaminsky Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs won the opening set 25-21, before Joplin responded with a 25-18 decision.

“We put in a good summer and actually lost to Joplin in league play this summer,” said Carl Junction head coach Sarah Wall. “So, this win was kind of validation for us. It was a big win.”

After trailing 20-14 in the third set, the Eagles started a 6-2 run to make the score 22-20. Solid play from Carl Junction seniors Devyn McPherson and Lindsey Gordon, put the Bulldogs up 24-22. Gordon led the Bulldogs in serve points with 10. She also had three blocks.

“She is doing great,” Wall said. “She was able to get in there and get some key swings for us in the first set.”

McPherson, who was recently moved to outside hitter, led Carl Junction in digs with eight.

“Devyn is showing great leadership,” Wall said. “She is improving on her passing and getting more swings in than last year.”

Carl Junction senior Holly Boles had 13 kills and three blocks.

“All three of our seniors stepped up for us,” Wall said. “It really makes it easy for a coach.”

From a 15-15 tie in the second set, the Eagles received strong serves from senior Jessica Hill, resulting in eight unanswered points. Hill led the team in four blocks and nine serve points and sophomore Jessie McMullen had seven digs.

“I’m proud of the kids and how they fought back,” said Joplin head coach Sandy Shelley. “As a whole, the team did very well. We just had too many unforced errors.”

In the first set, the Bulldogs were up 3-0, before Joplin junior Kallie Jewsbury scored for the Eagles. Jewsbury had nine assists for the Eagles and seven serve points. After unforced Joplin errors, the Bulldogs won the set 25-21.

Carl Junction sophomore Katelyn Joyner had 23 assists for the Bulldogs.