Leopold sweeps rival Zalma in title match

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Leopold practiced its serving all week, working to make the defense move.

The Wildcats knew their best strategy against Zalma in Tuesday's Class 1 District 3 title match was to keep the Bulldogs from getting comfortable.

"We worked on making sure we were serving aggressively, in between people and making them move," Leopold senior Abby Landewee said. "It's definitely harder to receive that way."

The practice paid off. Zalma struggled with its serve receive, especially in Game 1, and fell to Leopold 25-19, 25-19 in the championship match. It was the ninth consecutive district title for the Wildcats.

"I love coming out and playing in districts," Landewee said. "It always seems there's a little more at stake. It's always more intense and I like playing like that."

Leopold players celebrate their victory over Zalma in the Class1 District 3 final Tuesday in Advance, Mo. (Kristin Eberts)

Zalma standout Lesta Newberry buried almost every decent set she received in Game 1. The problem was that the Bulldogs labored to provide prime chances for Newberry.

"The first game, we did not pass the ball well," Zalma coach Dwyght Ford said. "When we did, we got a good set and Lesta killed the ball. If we could have done that all night, it would have been a different outcome."

Landewee said the key for the Wildcats was to avoid getting preoccupied with Newberry's success.

"We stayed focused on our game," Landewee said. "If we were hitting aggressively, it's always harder to run your offense when you're facing an aggressive team. We just tried to move their defense around to prevent them from getting a perfect pass every time."

It wasn't just Leopold's serving that made the difference in the fourth meeting between the two teams. Leopold avoided trying to pound the ball through Zalma's blocks.

Zalma players react to their 2-0 loss to Leopold during the Class 1 District 3 title match at Advance on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. (Kristin Eberts)

"These girls, they really used their heads tonight and placed the ball well," Leopold coach Sandy Davis said. "They realized you don't have to hit the ball 100 mph. A kill doesn't mean always a hard hit. They played smart tonight."

Leopold senior Mallory James demonstrated Davis' point midway through Game 1. She powered a spike to the floor for a point then tipped around the block on the next rally for another point.

"We've been practicing hard the last couple days, working on the spots to hit and working on covering," said James, who finished with a match-high 10 kills.

The Wildcats relied on tips quite often to neutralize the Bulldogs' blockers at the net.

"They really hurt us tipping the ball tonight," Ford said. "At times we were in position to cover it, and at times we weren't. And when we weren't, it cost us. It really did. It was one of those things we would just get caught standing every once in a while, and any time that we did, they took advantage of it."

ABOVE: Leopold's Mallory James hits the ball as Zalma's Angela Dickinson defends during the Class 1 District 3 title match. BELOW: Zalma players react to their loss to Leopold.

Landewee said the Wildcats constantly work on watching the blockers to find the best way to earn a kill. She credited Davis for the successful strategy.

"Coach Davis always tells us that in practice -- move the ball, move the ball, move the ball," Landewee said. "She tells us to focus on watching the block when you're hitting and making sure we're not just going up there and closing our eyes and swinging."

Zalma grabbed a 6-2 lead in Game 2 on a block by Lorie VanGennip, which drew a fist pump and loud "Yeah" from Ford. But Leopold chipped into the lead and the game stood even at 18-18 before the wheels started to fall off for Zalma. The Wildcats capitalized on a pair of errors to spark a six-point run and eliminate the suspense.

"I think we were just really anxious," Newberry said. "I think everyone was just anxious. I think we just had jitters all the way through. I think ultimately that's probably what cost us the game."

VanGennip spanked a kill to end Leopold's streak, but the Wildcats fittingly ended the match on a tip.

Leopold's Jessie Arnzen passes the ball during the first game of a Class 1 District 3 title match against Zalma at Advance on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010. Leopold won 2-0. (Kristin Eberts)

"They can't hit through a block, so you've got to be smart with the ball," Davis said.

James led the Wildcats with 10 kills, four digs and one block, while Landewee added four kills and six digs. Mackenzie Beel added eight kills and three digs.

Newberry led the Bulldogs with nine kills and two blocks, while Angela Dickinson finished with two kills and five blocks. Torie VanGennip put up 14 assists.

Leopold advanced to the Class 1 sectional round where it will face an old nemesis Saturday. The Wildcats will square off with Bell City for the right to play in the state quarterfinals.