Unbeaten New Salem eyes state volleyball title

New Salem Baptist Academy will put its 16-0 record against the best in the state today when the Missouri Christian School Athletic Association Division II state volleyball tournament begins in Joplin, Mo.

The 10-team field is divided into two pools with the top eight teams moving on to bracket play. Along with New Salem, area rival Eagle Ridge, Christian Outreach, Riverview Bible Baptist and Liberty Christian make up Pool A.

Bracket play will begin Friday, and the championship game is 2:15 p.m. on Saturday.

All-region volleyball

The all-Southeast Region volleyball teams were released Tuesday, with area district winners well represented.

Scott City led the way with four players on the first and second teams. Kacie Ritter and Jenni Heisserer, both seniors, were on the first team. Whitney Tapley and Brooke Simpson made the second team from Scott City.

Kelsey Cissell and Lacey Siegmund each made the first team from St. Vincent in Class 2. Brooke Hayden made the second team for the Squaws.

In Class 1, Bell City landed the lone area first-teamer in Rachel Spears. Jessica Abner and Codie Lancaster each made the second team for the Cubs.

Casey Bucher, Cassie Seiler and Jenny Vandeven represented Leopold on the second team.

Meridith Medlin and Ashley Nenninger both landed on the second team in Class 3 from district-champion Notre Dame.

Jackson's Katelyn James made the first team in Class 4.

All-district softball teams

Kelly's softball team finished tied for third in Class 2 at the state tournament and continues to earn postseason accolades.

Kalie Hughes, Summer Proctor, Londyn Backfish, Casey Kern, Katee Moore, Brittany Ponder and Sarah Ruff all made the Class 2 District 2 all-district team.

Miranda Holmes of St. Vincent also was all-district.

Hughes, Proctor, Kern, Moore, Ponder and Ruff were also all-region.

In Class 4 District 1, Jackson and Central each had three all-district representatives.

Amanda Nichols, Sirena Watkins and Courtney Schuessler all made the team from Central.

Kelci Keith, Hana Bolen and Brittany Feeney made the team from Jackson.

All-district volleyball

All-district volleyball teams have been released for Class 1 District 3 and Class 2 District 2.

Class 2 District 2 champion Scott City placed three players on the all-district first team. Kacie Ritter, Brooke Simpson and Jenni Heisserer were all first-team selections. Brittany Licare and Whitney Tapley were on the second team.

In Class 1 District 3, champion Leopold led the way with five of the six first-team slots. Casey Bucher, Maddy Hutchings, Janice Jansen, Cassie Seiler and Erin Woodfin made the team from the Wildcats. Cynthia Volz of Oak Ridge rounded out the first team.

Desiree Arnzen of Leopold, Brandy Mayberry of Meadow Heights, Saxony Lutheran's Kara Versemann and Nicole Petzoldt and Zalma's Chelsea Pickett and Chelsea Snider made up the second team.