Scott City spikers open 4-0 in SEMO Conference tourney

Scott City went 4-0 to begin pool play in the SEMO Conference volleyball tournament Thursday.

Central and Oran both started off 2-2, and Chaffee lost all four sets on the first day.

The host Rams posted a 25-16, 25-21 victory against Central and a 25-14, 25-17 victory over New Madrid County Central.

Central (7-14-1) defeated Oran 25-8, 25-22, as Wendi Zickfield had 13 service points, including three aces.

Oran topped Chaffee 25-10, 25-22. Chaffee also lost to Sikeston 25-11, 25-8.

Pool play will resume Saturday morning, and the championship is 3 p.m. that day.

JV -- Central went 4-0 on the first day with wins against Scott City (25-22, 25-16) and Oran (25-11, 25-17). Chaffee went 0-4, and Scott City and Oran both broke even at 2-2. The championship is 2 p.m. Saturday.

MVC Tournament

No. 3 seed Zalma won two matches Thursday, upending No. 2 Meadow Heights in the semifinal round to earn a spot in tonight's championship game.

Zalma earlier had beaten host Saxony Lutheran 25-19, 25-14.

In the other half of the bracket, top-seeded Leopold beat Oak Ridge, which had eliminated Marquand.

Leopold plays Zalma at 7:30 in tonight's final. Oak Ridge and Meadow Heights play at 5:30 p.m. for third place.

JV -- Saxony defeated Oak Ridge 25-22, 24-26, 25-18 for its first win. Leopold defeated Saxony 25-7, 25-12. Meadow Heights defeated Zalma. Today: Saxony vs. Zalma for third place, 4:30 p.m.; Meadow Heights vs. Leopold for championship, 6:30 p.m.

Stoddard Co. Tournament

Top-seeded Bell City knocked off No. 5 Bernie 25-12, 21-25, 25-10 in the semifinal round at Bernie.

Jenny Lathum had 14 digs for the Cubs, Megan Slagley had 13 digs, and Rachel Spears and Jessica Abner had 12 digs apiece.

Bell City will play No. 2 Dexter at 7 tonight in the championship.

Dexter defeated Advance 25-14, 25-23 in the other semifinal.

JV -- Bell City lost in the semifinal and will play today at 4 p.m. for third place.

Jackson 25 25

Perryville 16 20

Jackson swept host Perryville.

Amanda Peiffer had nine kills for Jackson (20-10) and Lucy Hartmann had eight kills.

Jocelyn Moll had five kills for the Pirates (12-14-4), and Lindsey Lappe and Elizabeth Martin both had six assists.

JV -- Jackson won 25-14, 25-11

New Salem 25 25

Eagle Ridge 15 13

New Salem won in straight sets over host Eagle Ridge.

Sarah Green led New Salem (11-2) with eight kills. Mary Beth Poole had six kills and Laura Poole had 15 assists.

For Eagle Ridge, Kristen Margrabe had three kills and Chelsey Clark added four assists.

-- From staff reports

OTHER EVENTS

• Central's junior high "A" girls basketball program split two games with Woodland. Central won the "A" game 34-29 behind Sadie Pittman's 12 points, and Woodland claimed the "B" game 30-17. Taylre Scott had 10 points for Central in the second game.

-- From staff reports