Bell City volleyball looks to get over the hump in 2023

Bell City opened the Woodland Invitational Volleyball Tournament with a sweeping victory over Zalma, 25-9, 25-17, 25-9 on Monday, August 28, at Woodland High School in Marble Hill, Missouri.

"We exchanged a few points, but then we started to get a few runs within the game, within the set," Bell City coach Lori Meyer said. "Once we started getting a little in, our momentum started, and we were able to put the game away."

The Cubs went 27-4-1 last season and returned six seniors, with the offense running through Madison Jines. Meyer also played two freshmen against the Bulldogs, adding a new dynamic to this year's squad.

"I have two freshmen that have height," Meyer said, "and they're gonna add quite a bit in the front row for us."

Bell City defeated Oak Ridge last year to win the tournament title. This year, Leopold denied them of the rematch by upsetting the Blue Jays 25-20, 25-21, 25-18.

Leopold freshman Ashtyn Van de Ven sets the volleyball during a match against Oak Ridge in the Woodland Invitational Tournament on Monday, August 28, at Woodland High School in Marble Hill, Missouri. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The result was not a surprise to Meyer, who expected the Wildcats to win.

"They're pretty well-rounded," Meyer said. "We actually played them in the jamboree, and they kind of put it to us."

Leopold finished last season 11-15-1 and won a game in their district tournament before falling to Bell City. The Wildcats now have a chance for revenge.

"They're gonna be strong," Meyer said. "They're gonna be contenders."

Despite the successful season in 2022, the Cubs are still searching for their first district championship since 2010 after losing to the eventual Class 1 champions, the Advance Hornets. With Bell City and Advance no longer in the same district, C1D2 looks ready for the taking.

"There is an opening," Meyer said. "Other than given the fact that we don't have to play the defending state champions in order to get out of districts, it's still a tough district with tougher teams."

Should Bell City win on Thursday, the Cubs will play Perryville for the championship game on Friday, September 1, at 7:30 p.m. The Pirates defeated Greenville 25-12, 25- 14, 25-8 in the first round and then swept Woodland in three sets 25-9, 25-22, 25-18 on Tuesday. McKenna McClure led the Pirates with 18 kills and eight blocks, while Mallary Barks led the Cardinals with 12 kills.

Oak Ridge's Anna Davis serves against Leopold in the Woodland Invitational Tournament on Monday, August 28, at Woodland High School in Marble Hill, Missouri. Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Cardinals stunned Meadow Heights 25-20, 24-26, 28-26, 25-21, in four sets in the first round. Barks led the hosts with 24 kills and nine digs. Setter Rhodie Long chipped in 38 assists, 17 digs, and four serving aces.

Oak Ridge defeated Zalma on Tuesday 25-8, 25-21, 25-18, to advance to the consolation final on Friday. The Blue Jays will await Thursday’s winner between Greenville and Meadow Heights, which tips off at 6:30 p.m.

The championship game follows the third-place game at 6 p.m., played between the semifinal losers.