JACKSON SPIKERS CONTINUE TO SAIL

JACKSON -- Jackson High's volleyball team doesn't perform to the fanfare or the overflow crowds enjoyed by the basketball team.

But each time the Lady Indians yank up their knee pads and take to the floor, they further solidify their standing as the best volleyball team in the school's history.

With their 15-1, 15-12 victory over Perryville Thursday at the Jackson Multipurpose Building, the Lady Indians boosted their record to 25-2-2. Jackson's previous high-water mark came in 1994, when it concluded the season with a mark of 23-7.

The team's prosperity is evident. But whether or not the success surprises the Lady Indians is unclear.

"I don't think we're really surprised," said hitter Andrea Koeper.

"We're kind of shocked," said setter Heather Brown.

But coach Nancy Ellis, who has presided over the team's groundbreaking bounty, was unequivocal. "It doesn't surprise me with the girls that I have," she said.

"The girls I have want to win," she added. "And we have six seniors. When six seniors know it's the end of their career, I think they're going to push a little more and work harder. These seniors have the work ethic to do that."

Thursday night, Jackson stormed out to an 8-0 lead in the first game, allowed Perryville (11-13-2) a point when a Jackson pass grazed the ceiling, and then proceeded to reel off seven points unanswered.

In the second game the Lady Indians quickly led 8-1. But after Ellis inserted reserves into the match Perryville closed the gap to 8-6 and later led 11-10. But a kill from Sara Johnson tied the match 11-11 before four hitting and passing errors were the Lady Pirates' undoing.

"We're really pleased," said Brown, a senior who posted 12 assists. "We've worked hard this season and we work well as a team. We've all played together for a long time, so I think that helps."

Koeper, one of the area's elite hitters although only a sophomore, paced Jackson with six kills in just nine attempts and contributed nine digs. She said the Lady Indians are anxious for a chance to avenge last season's loss to Poplar Bluff in the Class 4A, District 1 championship match.

"We've just been playing really well," she said. "We're expecting to go pretty far. To keep doing well we're just going to have to keep playing hard and just keep going till we get there."