Notre Dame, Scott City bow out in quarterfinals

Southeast Missourian

Despite losing in Saturday's Class 3 quarterfinal match, Notre Dame coach Tara Stroup could find little fault with her team's performance.

The Bulldogs continued their late-season surge by beating Festus 25-14, 25-14 in the sectional match at De Soto High School, but Lutheran South eliminated Notre Dame with a 25-21, 25-13 quarterfinal victory.

Notre Dame (21-11) won a district title despite being seeded just third. The Bulldogs then beat Festus after losing three matches to the Tigers during the regular season.

"I think we did a lot better than people thought we'd do at first," Stroup said. "The girls really came on. To finish eighth in the state is not bad."

Against Festus, Ashley Nenninger led the Bulldogs with 10 kills. Meridith Medlin had 12 assists, Destiny Dirnberger recorded 11 digs and Haley Bohnert added nine digs.

In the loss to Lutheran South, Nenninger had 10 kills and Medlin distributed 17 assists.

Scott City falls

Scott City also won its sectional match before losing in the quarterfinals during Class 2 action at Bloomfield High School.

The Rams (24-8-4) beat Caruthersville 25-7, 28-26 for their first sectional victory during a run that has seen them win four district titles in five years.

Scott City then bowed out with a 25-21, 25-21 quarterfinal loss to Crystal City, which placed fourth in the state last year.

Earlier, Crystal City eliminated St. Vincent by scores of 25-19, 25-19.

Against Caruthersville, Kacie Ritter had 25 assists and Brooke Simpson had seven kills for Scott City.

In the loss to Crystal City, Jenni Heisserer had seven kills, Whitney Tapley added five kills and Ritter distributed 22 assists. The Rams lost Simpson, their leading blocker for the season, to a rolled ankle early in the first game.

"I was really proud of our kids after Brooke went down. They could have easily folded, but they made some adjustments and regrouped," Scott City coach Carl Ritter Jr. said. "I told the kids to keep their heads up. We finished in the elite eight and there is nothing to be ashamed of. I was very proud of them."