Scott City, coach look for revenge in title match

KANSAS CITY -- Scott City coach Haley Jennings knows the Hermann volleyball team all too well.

Jennings was a member of the 1997 Bernie volleyball team that lost to Hermann in the state title match after splitting with the Bearcats in the round robin during the first day of the tournament.

Jennings was reminded of the strength of the Hermann volleyball program Friday.

The Bearcats swept her No. 1 ranked Rams in the round robin 25-20, 25-19.

The only time the Rams struggled Friday was against Hermann. Scott City swept its other two opponents, Ash Grove and Cole Camp, to earn a spot in the title match against none other than Hermann.

The two teams play at 1:30 p.m. today, and Jennings is looking for revenge.

"It's good because now we know what to expect," Jennings said about losing to her rival. "I knew they would be good. When I was in high school that's who we lost to. We took second place in the state to Hermann. So it's kind of a revenge match for me. But yeah, we knew they'd be good.

"When I heard they were coming, I was really excited because this is my chance."

Scott City (37-2-3) struggled to defend Hermann's strong serving. The Bearcats had 11 service aces against the Rams.

"I think their coaches would tell them what position to serve it to us, and they would put it there and we weren't ready for it and we didn't expect it," Scott City junior Brooke Simpson said. "We know they are going to be tough tomorrow. They are going to want to beat us again."

Scott City must do a better job of stopping Hermann's big three hitters, who combined for 25 of the Bearcats' 27 kills in the two-game match.

Rams setter Katie Diebold said the passing game struggled against Hermann, and that the Rams must focus on passing better today.

"We need to step it up ... with passing if we want to get first," Diebold said.

The other Rams setter, Jordan McFall, said her team must play better altogether.

"We didn't play like we should have," McFall said. "We can do much better."

Like their coach, some players are looking for revenge against Hermann.

"We're coming out for blood," Simpson said. "We want to beat Hermann so bad because it was really disappointing when we lost, because it's only our second loss of the season. So I was really disappointed. And I know we can beat them. We didn't play our best ballgame."