High school volleyball: Risco pushes Clarkton to 4 in loss

RISCO — The Risco High School volleyball team pushed Clarkton to a fourth set during Thursday's Tri-County Conference match at historic Roy Hon Gymnasium.

In the end, Clarkton persevered for a four-set win over Risco by scores of 25-18, 19-25, 25-13, 25-22.

“Before the season started, we knew that if we wanted to compete, we needed to strengthen our defense,” Risco head coach Jessie King noted. “That is something

Risco's Carly Akridge (2) and Natalie Collier (18) put up a double block on Clarkton's Bree Winchester (16) during a Tri-County Conference volleyball match at Roy Hon Gymnasium in Risco on Thursday, Sept. 14. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

I think showed in the match against Clarkton.”

Clarkton has major offensive firepower along the front row with college prospect Bree Winchester and Angel Johnson. Winchester and Johnson joined forces for 28 kills. Johnson also had a stellar .265 attack percentage.

It was up to Risco's defense to keep them at bay, and the Tigers excelled at that in the lone set they won.

Risco libero Aubrey White receives a serve while teammate Landri Baker watches during a Tri-County Conference match in Risco on Thursday, Sept. 14. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“I think the girls did great defensively,” King said. “The girls were scrappy, and worked hard not to let much hit the floor without a fight.”

Clarkton head coach Amy Cowart concurred.

“We started out strong, and then struggled in the second set,” Cowart said. “Risco is maybe one of the scrappiest teams we've played thus far. I give them

props for their scrappy, relentless defense.”

Risco also took the garland in the second set because Natalie Collier stepped up her presence in the middle, generating two of her three solo ace blocks during the salvo.

The Tigers mounted a comeback in the final set, down 24-17. Risco scored the next five points before they were called for a double hit on the penultimate point.

Landri Baker was tops in digs for Risco with 19 while Lydia Albritton had nine.

Carly Akridge and Albritton combined for 25 assists in the Tigers' 6-2 offense.

Other leaders were Jaelynn Presley in kills with 13, Avery Presley ace blocks with two solo stuffs and Aubrey White contributed 11 digs.

Brinley Cowart, who has cleared the 2,000-assist mark in her stellar career, is running away with the school record in that category.

Cowart had 31 more assists in this match. She also had seven digs.

Other statistical bests were from Alana Crowder with six digs and two ace serves, Lexi Elizondo had a match-best 24 digs and Nayely Rivera added 16.

A Risco attack error ultimately gave Clarkton the first set. A poor pass from the Reindeer gave the Tigers point No. 25 in the second set.

Johnson recorded a pair of back-to-back kills late in the third set to give Clarkton a one-set lead. The Reindeer slowly built its lead in the fourth before staving off the Tigers to prevent the match from going the distance.

Clarkton stands at 10-4 while Risco is now 8-6. Both teams will compete in Gideon Bulldog Classic beginning Thursday, Sept. 21.

SCOREBOARD

Thursday, Sept. 14

Malden d. Twin Rivers, 25-20, 25-13, 25-12

Record: Malden, 5-7-2

Portageville d. Kennett, 25-23, 27-25, 25-17

Record: Kennett, 4-5-4

Southland d. Delta C-7 (Deering), 25-10, 25-13, 25-22

Records: Southland, 5-6-1; Delta C-7, 0-6

Gideon d. North Pemiscot, 25-12, 25-9, 25-9

Record: Gideon, 6-5-1

Holcomb d. Cooter, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20

Records: Holcomb, 10-3-1; Cooter, 3-5

Campbell d. Hayti, 25-16, 25-9, 25-13

Record: Campbell, 3-8-2