From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

AURORA, Mo. — The Joplin High School volleyball team, which lost to eventual champion Carthage in a semifinal, outlasted Pierce City 25-27, 25-23, 25-19 to claim third place in the Aurora Tournament on Saturday.

Carthage, avenging an earlier loss this season, beat Joplin 25-20, 20-25, 25-18 before sweeping Mount Vernon 25-15, 25-18.

Joplin, runner-up in its pool at 1-1-1, defeated Bolivar 25-21, 25-16 in the first round of tournament play to receive the shot at Carthage.

“We became more consistent and stronger as the tournament progressed,” Joplin coach Sandy Shelley said. “Overall, I believe we’re continuing to improve.”

Joplin tournament leaders included Emilee Dailey (13 blocks, 19 kills), Emma Hays (50 digs), Alli Worley (37 assists) and Jordyn Nolan (18 kills).

Carthage, 8-4 overall to Joplin’s 5-5-2, received 69 assists from Lindsey Terry, 59 digs from Kori Gregory and 30 kills and 12 blocks from Aleisha Joyce.

SOFTBALL

McDonald County reigns

MIAMI, Okla. — The Mustangs handled former Southwest Conference rival Webb City 3-0 in the title game of the Miami Tournament behind the pitching of Kaily Harvey.

Harvey, a junior right-hander, allowed four hits, struck out six and walked two. Cardinal Nicole Hudson, a senior right-hander, struck out 16 and walked one.

The Mustangs, 15-3 overall to Webb City’s 12-2, scored in the second inning on Harvey’s single, Hannah Anderson’s one-out single and Hailey Turner’s two-out single.

Brandi Campbell walked to ignite the Mustangs’ two-run sixth. She swiped second and scored on an error on a sacrifice bunt by Ashton Pratt. Pratt, who wound up at second, scored on bunts by Brittany Blue and Harvey.

Webb City stopped Carl Junction 4-0 in a semifinal behind the one-hit pitching of Laney Kneib. Lauren Jones had a triple and Hudson a double to lead a six-hit attack.