Sectional-bound Jackson avenges loss to Farmington

There may not be a better authority on the improved state of Jackson volleyball than the Farmington Knightettes.

Just a month ago, the Knightettes handled the Indians relatively easily, winning in two games.

Tuesday night in the championship match of the Class 4, District 1 tournament, host Jackson, the second seed that has been picking up a head of steam, returned the favor.

With seniors Jessica Koeper and Jenna Leet combining for 26 kills, the Indians wore a rejuvenated face with a 15-10, 15-10 victory over the top-seeded Knightettes.

Jackson (24-9-2) advances to the four-team sectional/quarterfinal round Saturday at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis. Farmington's season ended at 19-10.

"Jackson played much better than they did last time," Farmington coach Chuck Henson said. "They're much-improved. We knew that coming in. We knew Koeper and Leet would be the heavy hitters and we did not control them like we could have."

Koeper had 14 of the kills, along with 10 assists, while Leet pounded out 12 kills and helped out defensively with 12 digs.

"Leet and Koeper are both good players," Henson said. "They hit over our blocks a lot of times and we even triple blocked a lot of times and they'd hit around it."

For Leet, a four-year starter, it evened a score on a bigger scale. It was the second straight year the Indians defeated Farmington in the district finals after season-ending losses to the Knightettes the previous two years.

"This team, we worked so hard and we came together toward the end," Leet said. "At first people had their doubts, but toward the end we just got together as a team. We came a long way since the beginning of the season. We've lost some players and I was hurt."

Leet missed the first meeting and several matches to follow with a sprained ankle. The loss to Farmington marked the beginning of an eight-match losing streak for Jackson, which was 16-1-2 at one point. They've won eight straight matches.

"I think we're a much different team," Jackson coach Nancy Ellis said. "We have a new lineup. Without Jenna there that time, we've got three new players on the court this time. And we've just come together more as a team. They've bonded a little more with each other."

Leet pushed Jackson to a 4-3 lead in the first game with her first of back-to-back kills and the Indians never lost control. With Jackson leading 6-5, Koeper started a 6-0 surge with a kill. Farmington never got closer than 13-10.

"The first game relaxed us," Koeper said. "They have to win the second game."

Ellis said winning the opener was a key to the second game.

"I think that relaxed them a little bit so they're not afraid to make mistakes, which allows them to swing harder and be a little more aggressive," she said. "When you lose that first one you have to be a little more tentative."

Farmington led during the early stages of the second game before faltering. Katelyn Peterson gave the Knightettes their last lead at 9-8 with a kill. Jackson then rolled off five straight points on its next serve to seize control. Junior Linden Hahs put the Indians ahead for good, 10-9, with a kill and Farmington misplays helped extend the lead to 13-9. A Koeper kill upped the lead to 14-9 and, after two serve-outs, a net violation ended Farmington's season.

Hahs led Jackson with 13 digs in the match, while Molly Hartmann had six blocks.

Farmington eased into the finals with a 15-3, 15-5 win over North County earlier in the evening. Jackson eliminated Sikeston 15-8, 15-2 in the other semifinal.

jbreer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 124