High school volleyball: Hendrix, Holcomb dispatches Senath-Hornersville in 4

SENATH — Holcomb High School volleyball player Chloe Hendrix set the tone in Tuesday’s Dunklin County match versus Senath-Hornersville.

Hendrix began the first set with an extended serving run — scoring the first seven points of the match — as the Hornets downed the Lions in four sets, 25-16, 15-25, 25-17, 25-18.

“We had some girls step up big time for us,” Holcomb head coach Matt Casper said, “after having to make some late adjustments to our lineup.

Holcomb volleyball players react after winning a point during Tuesday's match versus Senath-Hornersville in Senath.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“The girls served the ball well, which is what you have to do night in and night out,” Casper added.

Senath-Hornersville head coach Laura Harris chimed in.

“They were able to pick spots in our back row,” the coach said. “They placed serves in our holes.”

Senath-Hornersville's Lyvana Reyes serves during Tuesday's match versus Holcomb at Senath. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Holcomb remained undefeated on the season (4-0) heading into Thursday’s Tri-County Conference home match versus perenially tough Gideon.

Senath-Hornersville (4-1) suffered its first loss of the season. The Lions will remain home on Thursday evening versus South Pemiscot.

Both Holcomb and Senath-Hornersville are slated to compete in the St. Francis Healthcare “Dig For Life Challenge” in Cape Girardeau. The Hornets and Lions will be in the Black Division.

This was a match-up between an improving team in Class 2 (Senath-Hornersville) versus defending Class 1 District 1 champion Holcomb.

Last year’s early September match went the full five sets, and the thought was this year’s iteration would be the same. However, that didn’t materialize.

Holcomb’s Maleigh Lemings clinched the third set with a tip that glanced off Senath-Hornersville’s attempted block. Fittingly, Hendrix pounded down the match-winning kill in the fourth set.

In the final point of the opening set, the Lions were called for a violation.

Casper was proud of the Hornets for regaining their composure after a rough second set, which the Lions won by double figures. Morgan Chandler punched the ball over the net for a kill to give the Lions their only set victory.

Burlison finished with six kills and two solo ace blocks for the Lions.

Hendrix finished with 19 digs and a team-best five aces. Emma Bader was tops in digs with 24.

Ava Gurley dished out 23 assists, with both Maleigh Lemings and Landynn Hodges supplying 10 kills. Lemings also totaled 15 digs and Hodges put up a whopping six solo ace stuffs.