Fort Scott volleyball remains unbeaten in SEK play

Saturday, October 1, 2011

ALTAMONT, Kan. -- Fort Scott High School's volleyball team remains just one of two still unbeaten in Southeast Kansas League play after beating both Independence and host Labette County here Thursday.

Pittsburg is the other unbeaten team. The Purple Dragons beat Coffeyville and knocked Chanute out of a share of first place with 2-0 sweeps Thursday night. Fort Scott (4-0 SEK, 13-13 overall) and Pittsburg (16-6 overall) face each other next Thursday at Pittsburg with Columbus also in attendance.

The Tigers beat Labette County in the first dual of the night, 24-26, 25-22, 25-16). Mallory Shelton had 16 kills and 5 blocks for Fort Scott. Ericah Shoemaker added 6 kills while Kenzie Heatherly handed out 12 assists and Paige Denton came up with 9 digs.

"We started a little slow," Fort Scott head coach Carol Bingesser said. "(We) had a hard time finishing the first game, got our act together in the second and third games. Kenzie kept us alive with excellent serving. She served the ball hard and had some big ace serves. We came alive about mid-way thru the second game and then really started to roll."

Fort Scott swept Independence 25-18, 25-20. Shelton had 11 kills and 3 blocks while Heatherly recorded 10 assists and 5 aces.

"Mallory hit the ball really well," Bingesser said, "and Ericah really hit the ball well in both matches which takes a lot of pressure off of Mallory and it makes the other team start to honor our left sides."

Labette County defeated Independence 2 games to 1 in the third dual, 24-26, 27-25, 25-18. LCHS stands at 2-2, 9-10 and in fifth place by itself after Chanute (3-1, 18-2) and Parsons (3-1, 14-7). Independence (1-3, 11-12) is tied for sixth with Columbus (1-3, 3-16),

Thursday's first match at Pittsburg will begin at 5 p.m.