Volleyball
Southwest volleyball players honored
Eight Southwest High School volleyball players earned Academic All-State. They were: sophomore Olivia Hnem; juniors Rylee Hobbs, Emma Outhouse and Marissa Freeman; and seniors Montana Skelton, Riley Flippo, Laura Henry and Kaleigh Tull. The varsity grade-point average was 3.87. In other postseason honors, Freeman and Henry were each recognized. Henry, a setter, was named to both the Class 2 All-District team and All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in assists and serve percentage. Freeman, a middle, was named to the All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in kills, blocks and aces.
Southwest hangs hat on serves
Of all the things the Southwest volleyball team did well this season, it was best at serving. The Lady Trojans, who ended their season in a straight-sets loss to New Heights Christian Academy in the Class 2, District 11 Tournament, served at a 94% clip.
Pink Out celebrates quindecennial
The Hmen Sisters, Olivia and Abi, help decorate the gym in advance of Pink Out 15 at Southwest High School. The event marked the 15th season the Lady Trojans have celebrated breast cancer awareness with a special event.
Cassville volleyball lands No. 5 seed
The Cassville volleyball team opens district play on Tuesday, having earned the No. 5 seed in the Class 3, District 12 tournament.
Getting in their groove
The Purdy volleyball team is getting into its groove. After a tough 1-6-1 start, and another 6-game skid at the end of September, the Lady Eagles are 3-2-2 in their last seven and gearing up for Class 2, District 11 competition.
41 years of digs and kills
Southwest’s Laura Henry (No. 10) sets teammate Marissa Freeman for a kill attempt in a matchup with Pierce City Saturday at Southwest’s Volleyfest, the 41st year of the tournament.
Sports Briefs, Oct. 2
The Cassville softball team (11-9) stayed above .500 by splitting a pair of Big 8 contests last week. The Lady Wildcats fell on the road to McDonald County, 7-3, but defeated district rival Nevada, 6-1.
Scoreboard, Sept. 25
The Cassville cross country teams competed in Monett and in Willard last week, with the Lady Wildcats producing third-place and runner-up finishes. In Monett, the girls were third, boys fifth, middle school girls second and middle school boys third.
No seniors, no problem
Few teams are as young as the Wheaton volleyball squad. With no seniors and only three juniors, the team of 20 is focused on long-term goals and development coming off a trying 3-21 season last year.
Lady Trojans turning things up a notch
Accomplishing a double-digit win total last year, the Southwest volleyball team — led by four experienced seniors and one junior — aims to take it up a notch this season. Finishing 10-19-3 last season and winning 7 of their final 10, Coach Steve Voyak said the sky is the limit as the 2024 campaign is underway.
