SCAA: Young Puxico shows potential in loss to Bearcats

ESSEX – The Dexter High School volleyball program is in the midst of its 13th consecutive winning season. Conversely, the program at Puxico has achieved a winning mark just once in the past decade. So, it wasn’t overwhelmingly surprising that the Bearcats handled the Indians 25-12, 25-15, 25-20 on Monday in the opening round of the Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament at Richland High School in Essex.

But…

But that certainly doesn’t mean that the Indians didn’t show their fans a glimpse of the future – at times.

“The potential is there,” first-year Puxico coach April Burchard said following the loss, “I’ve got some big girls that can swing.”

The Indians (7-14-1) did have “some big girls that can swing,” including hitters Adi Denny, Laney Porter, Lacie Mclin, Hannah Wilson, and Janaya Tanner, with Tanner being the only senior. But if you really want a ray of hope for the Puxico program, freshman middle hitter Maggie Reinert can absolutely do that for the Indian followers.

“I pulled (Reinert) up at the very beginning (of the season),” Burchard said. “She plays club ball, so she has had a lot of experience at the higher level.”

Reinert and freshman setter Gracie Campbell, who has replaced injured senior Kelbey Rodgers in the lineup, are two of 14 freshmen in the Puxico program.

“I am excited about the future,” Burchard said.

Reinert not only exhibited athleticism and length along the front line, but in the third and final set, she did a nice job of serving, as the Indians racked up 20 points.

“She does a tremendous job for me putting up blocks,” Burchard said. “She even sets some for me. She’s just an all-around player.”

Life is not fair for Campbell this autumn, as she has been thrust into a very high-profile role, very quickly, when Rodgers got hurt.

“It’s the speed of the game,” Burchard said of the adjustment for any freshman asked to compete at the varsity level, “and knowing when you’re in the right position to set certain players. (Gracie) is doing a great job and learning as she goes.”

The opening set with the Bearcats (15-10) was tied at four before Dexter sophomore Klaire Essner tore off five consecutive service points to stretch her team’s margin to 9-4.

Dexter senior Katelynn Owens did the same later in the set, as the Bearcats cruised to a 1-0 lead. However, Puxico battled in the second set, which showed its potential.

Trailing 15-7, the Indians ran off five consecutive points to pull within 15-12, which forced first-year Bearcat coach Haylee Orf to call a timeout, before her team recovered for a 2-0 advantage.

In the final set, Puxico was within 9-6 and later 16-12 before dropping the match.

“Adjusting has been the big thing,” Burchard said. “We have had a lot of adversity this season, and this is my first year.”

Burchard, who is a former Indian player, coached her alma mater a decade ago, but took the position this off-season in “kind of a last-minute (situation).”

“We’ve had some adversity,” Burchard continued, “and we’re learning a new coach. They are a mental bunch. We’ll make a few mistakes and they kind of get down.

“So, it is trying to get them out of that.”

Puxico will face Bloomfield (13-13-4) in a consolation semifinal today at 5:30 p.m. at Richland High School.

Dexter will battle Bell City (18-8-2) in a semifinal at 8:30 p.m. The Cubs beat Bloomfield 3-1 on Monday.

Bernie fell to Woodland 3-0 and will take on Richland (Essex) (1-19-1) in a consolation semifinal today at 4 p.m.

Advance (25-3-3) will compete against the Cardinals in a semifinal at 7 p.m. after sweeping the host Rebels 3-0 on Monday.