By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Trailing 15-12 in the first set of the Class 4 – District 12 championship, against a Carthage team that had taken two of three meetings during the regular season, Cheryl Sharples had a simple message for her team.
“I told them we were going to win this game and that I needed all of them to believe it,” said Sharples.
It worked…
Carl Junction scored 13 of the set’s final 16 points, taking the first set and ultimately the district championship 2-0 Tuesday night at Carl Junction High School, just three weeks after losing to Carthage at home.
“It’s such an awesome feeling,” said Sharples. “We were truly at a low point after that loss and it took us awhile to figure things out. They’ve responded to everything we’ve tried to do and I felt like tonight they just really came together and played well as a team.”
The theme of the Carl Junction’s meetings with Carthage throughout the regular season was the strength of the Lady Tigers defense. On Tuesday, the Lady Bulldogs big, athletic frontline was able to win the battle at the net both offensively and defensively.
Carl Junction’s ability to swing away, while also challenging every attack of Carthage standout Alexa Boyle – who entered the night with more than 300 kills – proved to be the difference.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
“Our serve receive was much better tonight and it allowed us to stay in system; it enabled us to put pressure on their defense,” said Sharples. “We’ve also made some lineup adjustments and moving some kids around allowed us to get a better block set on the right side.
Senior Lexi Miller finished with nine kills. Junior Grace Southern and freshman Salma Lewis each added seven. Senior setter Sylvia Lawson handed 24 assists and recorded a pair of blocks.
The win means that Carl Junction will host Saturday’s Class 4 pod.
The Lady Bulldogs will play Willard in one Sectional. Ozark will take on Jefferson City in the other Sectional game. The two winners will meet in the quarterfinals with a trip to Cape Girardeau on the line.
Carl Junction is 67-13-1 at home since 2012, that includes winning both playoff games at home back in 2013, the last time the Lady Bulldogs reached the Final Four.
Sharples is hopeful that good mojo continues.
“Our crowd was great tonight,” said Sharples. “We have tremendous support here and we love to play at home. We’re excited about how we’re playing right now.”
