Volleyball: Bootheel teams gear up for thrilling 2023 season

GIDEON — The Gideon High School volleyball team played host to a three-team jamboree on Friday night.

Matches between Bernie, Clarkton and the Bulldogs were competitive, allowing the girls a chance to iron out the kinks before the season begins for real this week.

“All three teams who participated in the jamboree were competitive,” Gideon head coach Kristen Ashabranner said. “I felt our strong suit was our conditioning. Our girls seemed to be in pretty good shape. I can’t wait for the season to get started.”

Gideon's Lily Watkins (5) serves during a three-team jamboree featuring the Bulldogs, Bernie and Clarkton at Gideon last Friday night(Democrat photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

The jamboree format was used, which meant all sets started at 4-all played to 25 points with no cap.

There will be two more jamborees on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Kennett will travel to Portageville today for a four-team jamboree also featuring New Madrid County Central and East Prairie.

Campbell will be the host Wednesday, with Senath-Hornersville, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston also participating in the jamboree.

There are four regular-season matches of note on Friday.

Two Dunklin County schools will meet as Holcomb travels to Cardwell for a match versus Southland. The Hornets are coming off a district championship, with a 23-10-1 record. The Rebels also had a stout season, with a 19-9-2 mark.

Clarkton (31-7 in 2022) will travel to Delta C-7.

The Chargers went winless last season, and they have a new coach in Kristen Nowlin.

In what should be a competitive match, Portageville visits Gideon.

In this battle of Bulldogs, Gideon was 24-8 last season while Portageville was 21-11-1. Gideon swept Portageville in the 2022 edition.

Senath-Hornersville plays at North Pemiscot on Friday.

The Lions went 11-18-1 last season, with one of those victories a three-set sweep over the Mustangs.