Eagles third in home volleyball tourney

UNIONTOWN -- Uniontown's volleyball team finished third in its annual home tournament here Saturday.

Pleasanton was also in the field, competing in the opposite pool. The Blu-Jays were not able to advance from pool play.

Each team had four opponents in pool play. Uniontown started its pool with a 25-22, 25-19 sweep of Northeast-Arma. In that match, Abbie Smith was 26 of 28 in attack and had 10 kills.

Next for the Eagles was Southern Coffey County, one of the top teams in Class 1A. The Titans enjoyed a 25-17, 25-18 sweep. Smith was 18 of 22 in attack with seven kills.

The Eagles next faced Three Rivers League rival Crest, sweeping the Lancers, 25-20, 25-18. Smith was 20 of 21 in attack with seven more kills.

The final round of pool play saw Uniontown beat Yates Center in three games, 25-11, 16-25, 25-18. Smith was 15 of 18 in attack with 10 kills. Jacy Ermel was 15 of 16 with six kills and Jessie Camac was 10 of 12 with six kills.

In the third-place match, Frontenac took a 26-24, 25-17 sweep. Smith was 23 of 25 in attack with nine kills while Ermel was 17 of 22 with five kills.

"We did a pretty good job throughout the day playing some good volleyball," Uniontown head coach Jackie Hall said. "We still struggle at times putting a complete game or match together. We have lapses in communication and coverages, something we know we need to fix before we enter Sub-State, which we are excited to be hosting."

Pleasanton defeated Marmaton Valley, 25-15, 25-18, in its first match of the day. Darla Snyder served six aces for the Blu-Jays. Carlee Campbell and Rachel Richmond each had five kills. Jonnea Saulsberry and Kaylyn Reno each had six assists.

Frontenac was next and posted a 25-12, 25-22 win. Campbell had seven kills and five blocks and Saulsberry dished six assists. Kim Robinson had nine digs.

Central Heights, a top team in Class 3A was next and the Blu-Jays had the additional handicap of playing without Campbell, who had to leave to attend her sister's wedding. The Vikings, who were 21-2 coming into the tournament, took a 25-8, 25-8 sweep. Richmond had four kills and Robinson three. Saulsberry had four assists ad nine digs.

Finally, Riverton posted a 25-20, 25-13 sweep of the Blu-Jays. Richmond had five kills and 10 digs. Robinson and Rachel Landrum each had four kills. Saulsberry had six assists while Reno had five. Snyder also came up with six digs.

"We knew going in that this was going to be a very tough tourney," Pleasanton head coach Danny Looney said. "I was very pleased with the way we played and with the energy we played with early on."

Uniontown (18-9) is idle until Saturday when it will attend the Central Heights Tournament. Pleasanton (8-22) will play a Three Rivers League triangular tonight at St. Paul. Chetopa will also be in attendance.