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.
Pierce City Tournament
PIERCE CITY, Mo. — The host Eagles won the round-robin tourney by beating College Heights Christian 5-4.
CHC also lost to Sarcoxie (5-2) and Billings (6-4) on Saturday to finish last among the four teams.
Pierce City received five-hit pitching from Sara Stearns and her two-run single keyed a three-run sixth that allowed the Eagles to build a 5-2 lead.
Sarcoxie’s Leslie Daoud scattered six CHC safeties and struck out nine. Daoud, who tripled, was backed by two hits apiece from Kayla McMillan and Courtney Coleman.
Billings’ Kymmi Volland had two triples to back the five-hit pitching of Kese Jenisch against CHC.
Billings, Sarcoxie and College Heights trailed Pierce City in the standings.
