KELLY SOFTBALL STOPS CAPE CENTRAL 7-3

BENTON -- According to Cape Girardeau Central High softball coach Don Lang, there is a reason Kelly annually fields one of the area's top teams as well as a state title contender.

"They're just a good ballclub," said Lang following Kelly's 7-3 win over visiting Central Thursday. "They're solid. They don't make many mistakes. I think our young team probably learned some things today."

Kim Riley pitched the first five innings for the win, allowing three hits and three runs. Britney Lambert threw the last two innings on the mound, allowing only one hit as Kelly improved to 2-0.

"We played a really good game," said Kelly coach Rhonda Evans. "I was expecting a good game from Central and they gave us one."

Kathy Michel suffered the loss for Central (4-3), allowing five runs in four innings. Jessica Keys gave up two runs in two innings.

Pam Essner and Brandi Hamm led the Lady Hawks nine-hit attack with two singles each.

Michelle Lunsford, Courtney Haman and Cassie Koch both had two hits for Central.

Kelly scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back.

Central won the junior varsity game 9-5.

Kelly plays at Twin Rivers today while Central travels to St. Louis Saturday to face Ursuline Academy.

Perryville 9, Ste. Genevieve 3

STE. GENEVIEVE -- Perryville improved to 3-0 by rolling past host Ste. Genevieve Thursday.

Carrie Preston pitched all seven innings, allowing six hits and one earned run. She fanned 10 and did not issue a walk.

Andrea Regelsperger had two of Perryville's nine hits.

The Lady Pirates will host a four-team tournament Saturday. They'll take on Windsor at 10 a.m., followed by Hillsboro vs. Herculaneum at noon. The consolation final will be at 2 p.m., with the championship at 4.

Jackson 9, Poplar Bluff 8

POPLAR BLUFF -- Jackson is now 2-5 after slipping past host Poplar Bluff Thursday.

Staci Seabaugh was the winning pitcher, allowing one earned run in four innings. Christy Teets also gave up one earned run in three innings.

Nicki Hobeck had three of Jackson's 10 hits while Dana Eakins added two.

Jackson's JV romped 14-1.

The Lady Indians play at Sullivan Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL

Notre Dame 8-15-15

St. Vincent 15-10-8

PERRYVILLE -- Notre Dame dropped the first set to St. Vincent, but the Lady Bulldogs rallied for a three-set road victory Tuesday as they raised their record to 2-0.

St. Vincent (1-1) was led by a 10-kill performance by Jessica Lakeman. Fara Galati added nine kills and seven blocks.

St. Vincent won the JV contest 12-15, 15-7, 15-6.

Jackson 15-15

Caruthersville 5-11

CARUTHERSVILLE -- Jackson, after losing at home to St. Vincent Tuesday, bounced back Thursday to knock off host Caruthersville.

The Lady Indians (1-1) got six kills apiece from Andrea Koepper, Chrissy Glastetter and Valerie Jansen.

Ste. Genevieve 15-15

Perryville 10-11

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville suffered a defeat in its home opener Thursday as the Lady Pirates fell to 0-2 on the young season.

Renee Kaempfe led the Lady Pirates with 10 points, four blocks and three kills. Jeni Blevins added five points.

Bell City 15-15

Zalma 5-1

ZALMA -- Defending Class 1A state champion Bell City improved to 2-0 with an easy road victory Thursday.

April Jackson led the Lady Cubs with six kills and nine points. Jessica Shelby added five kills while Leslie Lee had 13 assists and Laura Spears contributed eight digs.

"We really looked good as a team tonight," said Bell City coach Carl Ritter. "We played the floor well and passed well."

Meadow Heights 15-15

Oak Ridge 2-7

OAK RIDGE -- Meadow Heights improved to 2-0 and dropped Oak Ridge to 0-2 by winning on the road Tuesday.

"We struggled tonight big time," said Oak Ridge coach Michelle Grimpo. "We missed a lot of serves and that hurt us."

GIRLS TENNIS

Jackson 9, Farmington 0

JACKSON -- Jackson improved its season mark to 4-0 with a shutout victory over Farmington Thursday.

The Lady Indians won five of the nine matches by 8-0 scores and the other four by 8-1.

Jackson 9, Farmington 0

Singles

1. Sarah Culbertson (J) def. Melissa Gilliam 8-0

2. Lynn Casteel (J) def. Jennifer Rau 8-1

3. Lene Steinberg (J) def. Christy Braswell 8-0

4. Loren Young (J) def. Jennifer Wisdom 8-0

5. Beth Lefebvre (J) def. Emily Bark 8-0

6. Amy Lefebvre (J) def. Tessa Pecilli 8-1

Doubles

1. Casteel-Steinberg (J) def. Gilliam-Wisdom 8-0

2. Culbertson-Young (J) def. Rau-Barks 8-1

3. Lefebvre-Lefebvre (J) def. Braswell-Pecilli 8-1