High school volleyball: Risco shows well at ‘Dig For Life’

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Risco High School volleyball team reached the Round of 16 in the Black Division gold bracket.

Holcomb earned its way into the Black Division silver bracket quarterfinals.

And both Gideon and Clarkton played top talent in the Red Division gold bracket.

Risco High School head volleyball coach Jessie King talks to her team during a timeout in a match versus Woodland at the �Dig For Life Challenge� at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Those were the top takeaway storylines from the St. Francis Healthcare “Dig For Life Challenge” Saturday afternoon.

The event was conducted at the Show Me Center, Southeast Missouri State University Student Recreation Center and Cape Girardeau Sportsplex.

Risco split its six matches — with wins over Bunker (25-21, 25-20), Twin Rivers (25-24, 25-18) and Woodland (25-19, 25-13).

Risco's Carly Akrdige (2) sets the ball for a teammate during a "Dig For Life Challenge" tournament game versus Woodland on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Cape Girardeau. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

“We always look forward to this tournament every year,” Risco head coach Jessie King said. “We played some really good teams this weekend, and overall the girls played well. Making the gold bracket in the black division, and defeating some tough teams really gave us the push we needed.”

King said the Tigers made some adjustments throughout the event. It was a strong tournament for several players, including Carly Akridge, Natalie Collier, Avery Presley and Lydia Albritton among them.

The Tigers reached the Round of 16 during bracket play before falling in three sets to Portageville, 14-25, 25-20, 25-20. Risco now stands at 8-3.

Risco volleyball players Landri Baker (3) and Aubrey White (10) react before Carly Akridge serves during a "Dig For Life Challenge" tournament game versus Woodland on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2003, at the Southeast Missouri State University Student Recreation Center. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Keep in mind, during pool play, matches were capped at 25 points — meaning teams only needed to win by one point rather than the traditional two.

Holcomb (7-3-1) defeated Dunklin County foe Malden in three tough sets by scores of 20-25, 25-10, 25-16.

However, the Hornets then found themselves on the business end of a three-set loss to Sikeston, 21-25, 26-24, 25-17.

“I’m very proud of my team, and how they competed this weekend,” Holcomb head coach Matt Casper said. “They are still learning and adapting to their roles. We took away a lot of positives, and also identified some things to improve on.”

Casper said playing in the tournament served as an invaluable experience.

Overall, the Hornets went 3-2-1.

Both Gideon (3-5-1) and Clarkton (5-1) competed in the Red Division gold bracket, but both the Bulldogs and Reindeer were quickly jettisoned.

Valle Catholic eliminated Clarkton, 25-16, 25-16 while Gideon pushed Dexter to three sets before falling by scores of 25-15, 19-25, 25-23.

"Overall, I think the Dig For Life Tournament was a great experience for our girls because we played great competition that challenged us," Clarkton head coach Amy Cowart said, "and helped us to see what we still need to work on."

Cowart said the Reindeer saw a blend of offensive and defensive court formations and styles, which will only benefit the squad moving forward.

Kennett competed in the Black Division Gold Bracket before falling to Bernie in three sets, 21-25, 25-14, 25-14.

The Indians, after four tied outcomes at the tournament, now have the soccer-like record of 4-2-4.

During the tournament, longtime Valle Catholic coach Nancy Fischer earned the 850th victory of her illustrious career.

Meanwhile, the defending Class 1 state champion Advance defeated Class 3 Park Hills Central for the overall championship.

There were not enough schools competing in the Red Division to assemble a silver division bracket this year, Show Me Center marketing director Abbie Jo Lady reported.

Overall, 58 schools participated in the event.

NEXT YEAR

Next year’s Dig For Life Challenge will take place on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14, Lady reported.

VOLLEYBALL

TOURNAMENT WINNERS

DIG FOR LIFE CHALLENGE

At Cape Girardeau

RED DIVISION

Gold Bracket

Advance d. Park Hills Central, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22

BLACK DIVISION

Gold Bracket

Leopold d. Bismarck, 21-25, 26-24, 26-24

Silver Bracket

Green Ridge d. Bunker, 25-18, 25-20