Lady Tigers end district title drought

By Will Johnson, Sports Editor
Posted 11/4/20

Garnering the top seed in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 7 volleyball tournament last week in Bourbon when Steelville’s season ended due to COVID-19, Evin Farris’ Belle Lady Tigers suddenly …

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Lady Tigers end district title drought

Posted

Garnering the top seed in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 7 volleyball tournament last week in Bourbon when Steelville’s season ended due to COVID-19, Evin Farris’ Belle Lady Tigers suddenly found themselves with a great shot at their first district title in 17 years.

Last Monday in the district semifinals, Belle took on the host Bourbon Lady Warhawks.

Cruising to a 25-6 victory in game one, Belle kept the momentum on their side winning game two 25-16 before taking game three and the match 25-6, 25-16 and 25-15.

That victory earned them a spot in the district championship match last Tuesday against Linn’s Lady Wildcats.

This also meant another round of Highway 89 bragging rights volleyball.

In similar fashion to their semifinal match against Bourbon, Belle needed just three sets to seal the deal on their first district title since 2003 defeating Linn 25-17, 25-16 and 25-13.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling knowing we’ll be going on the gym wall,” Farris said. “Winning the title in my hometown (Bourbon) made it that much sweeter.”

Dreaming of being on the gym wall, that dream became reality for the Belle senior trio of Gracie Schultz, Olivia Sanders and Kenzi Cetroute.

“It feels amazing knowing that our hard work has paid off,” Schultz said. “Hopefully we can keep going Saturday and advance to state.”

Facing Christian’s (O’Fallon) Eagle’s in the first of two sectional matches, Belle could not get into an offensive rhythm falling to the Lady Eagles in three sets 25-13, 25-9 and 25-12.

In the other sectional Saturday, Cabool defeated Eugene also in three sets 25-17, 25-10 and 25-23.

With a spot in the Class 2 final four on the line, Christian needed five sets to defeat Cabool in the quarterfinals 15-25, 25-14, 12-25, 25-16 and 16-14.