Volleyball: Lady Raiders fall at home; AV, Central triumph in 5

North County outside hitter Mya Claywell (22) attacks blocking from De Soto’s Hannah Theiss and Payton O’Shea (13) during game two volleyball action on Thursday in Bonne Terre. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

BONNE TERRE – The North County volleyball team experimented with different lineup combinations while searching for elusive consistency.

De Soto conversely found a hot hand early, and continued to locate sophomore outside hitter Ashley Theiss with steady success on Thursday evening.

The visiting Dragons claimed 11 of the last 13 points after benefiting from a curious substitution, and emerged with a 25-20, 25-14, 25-19 sweep.

Theiss spiked seven of her 15 kills during game one, and brought up six digs for De Soto (2-0), which is showing signs of a resurgence under former Mineral Area assistant coach Ashley Daegling.

North County senior Makaila Moore reaches out to pass during game three volleyball action against De Soto on Thursday in Bonne Terre. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Makaila Moore played a versatile setting and hitting role with 12 assists, 10 digs and four kills as North County (1-3) faced its fourth match in four nights.

The Lady Raiders extended a few rallies with defense, and capitalized on a series of errors from the opposition in game three to create a promising 17-14 lead.

After playing six rotations in the two previous sets, Moore was given a short break. She was sent back into action by coach Chelsey Crocker after De Soto answered with a clinching 6-0 scoring run.

Olivia Thompson guided a push into the deep corner at 20-17, and the Dragons closed with a 5-0 spurt despite two solid digs by Camille Tiefenauer on consecutive attacks.

Neo Bourn tallied four kills and seven digs, and blocked down an overpass on match point. Peyton O’Shea amassed 16 assists, and Sophia Podgornik made seven digs for De Soto.

Ashley Theiss pounded her fifth kill for a 13-4 cushion in game one. De Soto was gifted two early points when no clearing attempt was made on potential free balls.

North County offered an admirable response when left-side hitter Mya Claywell spiked five kills during a single progression across the front row.

North County’s Makayla Elliott serves an ace during game one volleyball action against De Soto on Thursday in Bonne Terre. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Makayla Elliott then exploited a shaky spot in the De Soto serve receive, and unleashed five straight aces as the deficit was suddenly whittled to 21-20.

But a timely stuff-block by Bourn gave the Dragons some breathing room, and back-to-back aces from Thompson landed near the back line to punctuate the game.

Addy Mann ripped a back-row kill, Moore lunged for three impressive digs over a span of two points, and North County stayed within 14-12 after Elliott knocked down a left-side spike in game two.

Ashley Theiss regained control for De Soto with a couple of well-placed tips, however, and Hannah Theiss ripped the third of her four kills in cross-court fashion to restore a 21-14 advantage.

Claywell supplied a team-high six kills, and Claire Jenkins connected on five more for the Lady Raiders. Mann made seven digs while Tiefenauer contributed five.

Sophomore setter Megan Reed added seven assists with six digs, and neatly pulled two errant passes from the net in the hope of prolonging rallies.

North County libero Addy Mann makes a lunging dig as Karlie Straughan (5) reacts during game two volleyball action against De Soto on Thursday in Bonne Terre. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Bourn tracked down a deflection near the De Soto bench, and Ashley Theiss capitalized with a scoring spike in game two before North County could fully regain defensive position.

Farmington 3, Festus 0

FESTUS, Mo. – Ava Cooper produced nine kills and three blocks up front, and Farmington received key contributions from numerous sources to sweep Festus 25-13, 25-19, 28-26 on Thursday.

Madison Mills shined with seven blocks, along with five kills, and Zoey Gerwitz sent down six kills for Farmington (3-4). Emily Bauer finished with a team-high 19 assists.

Three players led the back row effort for the Knights. Emma Anderson served three aces while making eight digs and 11 serve receptions.

Aubrey Huskey totaled nine digs with 14 receptions, and Brynn Johnson picked up eight digs and 10 receptions.

Ella Swyres notched two blocks, Raylin LaCava and Claire Hampton added three kills each, and Cheyenne Strohkirch dished out seven assists.

Central 3, Valle Catholic 2

STE. GENEVIEVE – Central was able to close out the fourth and fifth games at pivotal junctures, and earned a thrilling 22-25, 25-22, 19-25, 26-24, 16-14 victory at Valle Catholic on Thursday.

Blair Sitton compiled 14 kills and three blocks to power the Lady Rebels, who prevailed in another anxious scenario after rallying from match point and a two-set deficit against Windsor.

Central (2-0) utilized seven kills apiece from Avery Johnson and Madison Dunn while Sydney Miles distributed 28 assists. Game four was tied at 24-24 and the final stanza reached 14-14.

The early-season battle carried potential seeding implications for upcoming conference and district tournament competition in October.

Ade Weiler powered Valle Catholic (1-1) with 17 kills, 27 digs and 18 serve receptions. Addi Donze amassed strong numbers at libero with 25 digs, 12 receptions and a team-high 21 service points.

Makayla Joggerst posted nine kills with 18 digs and 11 receptions at six rotations, and middle Ava Bauman had eight kills with four blocks in defeat.

Brooklyn Weibrecht generated 22 digs with eight assists, four kills and three blocks. Abree Zipprich finished with 18 assists, 14 digs and three kills while Ada Bley made a solo block.

Ste. Genevieve 3, Jefferson 1

STE. GENEVIEVE – Sophia Huck totaled 28 assists, 10 kills and 13 digs, and Ste. Genevieve again spread the attacking wealth on Thursday for a solid 18-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-23 win over Jefferson.

Kailynn Harmon spiked a team-high 13 kills, and chipped in two blocks plus five digs for the Dragons in a matchup of state final four programs from last seasons.

Emma Gegg provided 11 kills and 12 digs, and Kailyn Fallert contributed 10 kills with six digs as four Ste. Genevieve (1-2) players reached double digits in kills.

Kale Clements had nine kills, and equaled Abby Boyer for top honors with 16 digs. Joleigh Parker made 27 assists and 14 digs while knocking down five kills.

Arcadia Valley 3, Lesterville 2

LESTERVILLE, Mo. – Arcadia Valley enjoyed a stellar start, regrouped to salvage a tense fourth game, and polished off an encouraging 25-14, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory at Lesterville on Thursday.

Kayla Sumpter ripped 18 kills, made 16 digs and served an ace to lead the Lady Tigers. Cate Newstead-Adams also bolstered the attack with 16 kills while picking up nine digs.

Taylor Lorenz directed the offense with 48 assists, and added 15 big service points plus eight digs to the win. Skylar Romines was the top blocker with four stuffs, and sent down nine kills.

Paige Newstead-Adams had seven kills, 16 digs and two aces while Jaydan Crites amassed seven kills, seven digs and 10 points.

Braelyn Turnbough supplied seven digs, and Arcadia Valley (3-0) capped an unbeaten opening week in a measure of revenge after being swept by Lesterville in each of the past two years.