Rams fend off ND in battle of state-ranked volleyball teams

Scott City volleyball coach Haley Jennings calls Stephanie Essner "my little grasshopper."

On Wednesday night, Essner was hopping all over the place.

Essner led the host Rams past Notre Dame 25-20, 25-21 in a battle of state-ranked teams.

"She is hitting the ball so well this year," Jennings said. "Once she gets on, her excitement, she is the most vocal player on the court. She's jumping around. I call her my little grasshopper. Tonight she was on, and she's been steadily improving."

Scott City is ranked No. 2 in Class 2 while Notre Dame comes in at No. 4 in Class 3.

Scott City's Katie Hogan tries to block a shot by Notre Dame's Meghan Dohogne during the second game Wednesday in Scott City. (Fred Lynch)

The Bulldogs (7-1) did not go down easily.

In the first game, the Rams (2-0) used a 6-0 run to take an early 8-4 advantage, but Notre Dame eventually clawed back, knotting it at 12-12.

The teams lobbied back and forth for the lead before Scott City started to pull away late for the opening-game win.

"I think this team [Scott City] the last couple of years have built up such a record for themselves," Notre Dame coach Tara Stroup said. "They just have something about them that intimidates. I think we had a hard time adjusting to their serves and where their blockers were."

The second game was wild.

Scott City's Brooke Simpson, left, blocks a shot by Notre Dame's Meghan Dohogne during the first game Wednesday in Scott City.FRED LYNCHflynch@semissourian.com

Scott City used a 5-0 run to take an 8-5 lead before the Bulldogs launched their own 7-1 run to take a 12-9 advantage.

"They start out kind of slow," Jennings said about her team. "Then they realize they can't do that. They realize they have to pick it up and play together and talk more."

The Bulldogs would continue their strong play, taking a 16-12 lead before Jennings called a timeout to try to calm down her team.

"She basically said take a deep breath and don't let one mistake snowball into another," Rams senior Brooke Simpson said. "You have to shake it off and move on."

"We had to take a little break," Essner added. "We were getting a little frustrated, kind of shook up. I was like calm down, take a deep breath, relax and recoup."

Scott City's Katie Diebold puts up a set during Wednesday's match.

The Rams did.

Scott City used a 4-0 run to even the score after the timeout.

"Everything just started working out for us," Jennings said.

With the game knotted at 19-19, Scott City used another 4-0 run to take a commanding 23-19 lead and would finish off the Bulldogs four plays later.

"Notre Dame has been our rival for a little bit now," Essner said. "Last year going to their house and winning, knowing this year we had to come back to our house and be strong. We knew it was going to be a game. Our big crowd came. It was exciting."

Scott City's Stephanie Essner passes the ball as Brooke Simpson looks on during the second game against Notre Dame on Wednesday in Scott City. (Fred Lynch)

"We've been nervous all week about this game," Simpson added. "This is a game we've been looking forward to. It was definitely a nail-biter. I was nervous all week and have been looking forward to it."

Essner tallied a team-leading 19 digs and nine kills.

"She was slamming it," Simpson said. "She knows the right time when she has to step in and take the leadership role. She knows how to be a good leader."

Simpson finished with 11 digs and five kills, while Katie Diebold added 13 assists and 12 digs for the Rams.

Notre Dame's Meghan Dohogne paced the Bulldogs with five kills and nine digs, while Shannon Brennan added four kills and 14 assists.

Scott City and Notre Dame could square off again in this weekend's Volleyball Extravaganza at the Show Me Center, but for now the Rams are one up.

"Everything just clicked," Essner said. "It was awesome."