By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
There isn’t much the current seniors on the East Newton High School volleyball team haven’t accomplished.
They can savor 94 wins. They can cherish three titles in a row — outright or shared — in the Big 8 Conference.
But today those Patriots, coming off their first district championship, can scale another mountain.
It’s the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 3 playoffs.
East Newton (27-3-1) challenges Rogersville (24-6-3) at 4:30 p.m. at Marshfield.
Republic (22-10-2) and Boonville (20-7-2) clash in the 3 p.m. opener.
The quarterfinal is scheduled for 6 and the winner advances to Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City for the semifinals next week.
East Newton coach Todd Dana said Friday that Rogersville has won three district titles in a row.
“Everybody that’s left in the playoffs is a quality team,” Dana said. “That includes us.
“I don’t want to underestimate our intensity ... our will for success,” Dana said. “The seniors have demanded a lot from our younger players.
“Perhaps (Ashley) Mason (a senior) is in a class by herself with her focus as well as ability,” Dana said. “This group, overall, is very intelligent as well as intense.
“I’m proud and eager to see what we can accomplish,” Dana said.
Probable starters for East Newton include senior libero Katie Topel and senior setter Kolina Hill. Middle hitters are sisters Katy (6-foot-1 junior) and Sha (5-8 freshman) Cooper. Outside hitters are Mason and junior Lindsey Bragg. Kara Harris, another junior, is a defensive specialist.
Weakside hitter Micah Lemaster, a senior, replaces Harris in the rotation.
Dana said the Patriots are blessed with experience. They graduated just three players from a 25-4-1 edition. There are four returning fulltime starters.
Dana, who’s in his seventh year as head coach, is assisted by Sonya Brown (formerly Spencer and a former East Newton volleyball player).
Dana, who guided East Newton to a district crown in 2001, said the 1998 edition, coached by Bev Goff, won the Class 2 championship.
Sports
November 1, 2008
Patriots seek higher goal
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
- Both sides of border hope changes make easier entry into Canada
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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