Fort Scott volleyball falls in league play

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. -- Fort Scott HIgh School's volleyball team dropped a pair of Southeast Kansas League matches here Thursday, losing to Independence in two sets and to Labette County in three.

The Tigers (1-3 SEK, 8-18 overall) lost to Indy, 25-18, 25-21. Brianne Lawrence led Fort Scott with 8 kills. Maddi Allen had 12 assists while Meredith Hill handed out 9. Allen also had 8 digs while Paige Denton had 7 and Erica Shoemaker came up with 6.

"Against Indy we had a hard time keeping the rallies going -- it would be one serve and out.," Fort Scott Head Coach Carol Bingesser said. "We could tie the score, but never push ahead.

"Our hitters showed improvements. They all were swinging hard at the ball. Brianne, Ericah, Jill and Sidney (Maycumber) did a good job hitting the ball. Our passers, Paige and Shelby (Maycumber) worked hard this week in practice, which in turns helps out everything. If we can pass, our setters can get a good set and then our hitters take a good swing, then we can get the job done. "

The Tigers went to three with Labette County (2-1, 9-8), with the Grizzlies winning 29-27, 24-26, 25-17. Jillian Lattimer had 9 kills while Shoemaker had 7. Allen handed out 13 assists and Hill dished 11. Shoemaker served 4 aces and Denton had 16 digs.

"Against Labette, we let them jump out to a quick start ,so we struggled trying to catch up.," Bingesser said. "In the second set, we came out with a bang and caught them off guard. In the third set, we struggled stopping their main hitter and just couldn't get anything to go in our favor."

Labette County won the final match of the night, knocking off Indy (1-2, 13-9) by scores of 29-27 and 25-22.

Fort Scott will play its final home matches Thursday at the FSHS gymnasium. The Tigers' Dig Pink night will feature an SEK match against Pittsburg and a non-league match with Osawatomie. Play is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.