Notre Dame volleyball clicks on all cylinders to beat Central

Even though Notre Dame's volleyball team has a glittering record, coach Tara Stroup didn't think the Bulldogs had been playing very well lately.

But Stroup's opinion changed Tuesday night after the host Bulldogs (22-3-1) rolled past crosstown rival Central 25-14, 25-8.

"We played good for the first time in about two weeks," Stroup said. "That's the best game we've had in a while."

Laura Browne led the Bulldogs in kills with eight, followed by Lauren Mehner with five and Amanda Essner with four.

Allison Essner had 12 assists and Amber Karnes added nine. Ashley Dix served 10 straight points to begin the second game.

JV -- Notre Dame won in two games.

Jackson 25-25 NMCC 22-20

Molly Hartmann had eight digs and four kills, while Rebecca Martin had eight digs and three kills as Jackson (16-9-3) eased past host New Madrid County Central.

JV -- Jackson (14-7-4) 25-16, 23-25, 25-19

Oak Ridge 25-25 Charleston 12-23

Oak Ridge climbed back to the .500 mark with a home sweep.

Leaders for the Blue Jays (10-10) were Kelsey Schaper (four kills, three blocks); Erin Hahs (four kills, four aces); Whitney Roberts (three kills, five aces); and Cheryl Berkbigler (eight digs, three aces).

JV -- Oak Ridge 25-23, 25-20.

Leopold 25-22 Saxony Lutheran 18-22

Saxony Lutheran put up a good fight before falling at home.

Stacey Manche had seven service points, three kills and two blocks for Saxony (3-17). Kasey Welker had five points, three kills and four digs, while Meredith Hoffman added five points, three kills and four assists.

JV -- Leopold won in two games.

Late Monday New Salem Bapt. 17-25-25 Eagle Ridge Chr. 25-23-20

Holly Jordan led New Salem Baptist with seven kills in a home win. Laura Poole had 10 assists, and MacKenzie Jones added six kills for New Salem Baptist (9-4).

Savanna Irizarry led Eagle Ridge Christian with 10 points. Autumn Crowden added nine kills and four blocks.

BOYS SOCCER

Jackson 3, Sikeston 2

Chris Bramlett scored with about 15 minutes left to break a 2-2 tie as Jackson won on the road.

Also scoring for the Indians (8-12) were Tyler Beussink and Steven McKinney. Beussink and Chris Bramlett had assists.

JV -- Sikeston won 2-0.

GIRLSTENNIS

The Central tennis team will play the Class 2 sectional contest against Lafayette 3 p.m. Thursday at home. The winner plays Saturday in a quarterfinal in St. Louis.

-- From staff reports