CARL JUNCTION, Mo. -- Lady Cardinals Volleyball Saturday defended their CJ Classic Tournament title vs. the Nevada Lady Tigers.
The team swept Nevada 2-0. 2-0 was the case of every match Webb City played, as they did not drop a single set in pool play and bracket play.
The Cardinals defeated Aurora, Girard, and Nevada in pool play 2-0 each. In bracket play, Webb City defeated Carl Junction in the first round 2-0, Belton in the semifinal 2-0, and Nevada again in the championship 2-0.
The team walked away with a plaque, Savannah Crane won the MVP award, and Avery Gardner and Marlee Harper won gold medals of their own.
Semifinal Match vs. Belton
Set 1: 29-27
It was a long set for Webb City. Belton kept things close with great rallies. Halfway through the first set, Adelyn Maxwell ended a nearly 20 second rally with a kill the Lady Pirates couldn't corral. Jaylee VanBecelaere came away with a nice ace as well. The set ultimately ended when Kaelyn Maxwell form an impenetrable defense to block the Belton attack.
Set 2: 25-23
More of the same story as the first set, it was a back and forth battle. Adelyn Maxwell tied things up at 12 with a nice block. Allison Collard attacked on a dig to help the team inch forward in the lead. Avery Gardner wrapped the match up with a pair of aces to give Webb City the 2-0 victory.
Kaelyn Maxwell and Marlee Harper led the team with 5 kills. Savannah Crane led with 11 assists, and VanBecelaere finished with 3 aces.
Championship Match vs. Nevada
These two teams met earlier in pool play, and the result was the same for both matches: 2-0 Webb City. Carl Junction hosting their annual CJ Classic Volleyball Tournament… defending champs Webb City looking to keep their title… against Nevada
Set 1: 25-23
As with the semifinal match, it was also back and forth for both teams. Jaylee VanBecelaere got the championship match going with an ace to give Webb City the lead. Nevada's Halle Hawks came up with the one handed dig on a long rally to help the Lady Tigers recover. A Kaelyn Maxwell attack error gave the Tigers a one point lead late in the set. On set point for Webb City, Marlee Harper blocked Nevada's attack to give the Cardinals the first set victory.
Set 2: 25-23
A Kaelyn Maxwell kill sent the ball flying into the bleachers above, and the moment set up an awkward set the next play. The refs blew the whistle for play to begin. Avery Gardner set her serve, and a Nevada Tiger had her back turned -- attempting to get the other game ball out from the bleachers above. The referees ultimately decided the play counted, and Gardner earned herself the ace. The play didn't deter Nevada, as their defense forced another block to get a 2 point lead in the set. Webb City had a 23-18 lead, but Nevada earned 5 straight to tie the game back up. A Jocelyn Maxwell kill gave Webb City the 24-23 lead, and all the Lady Cardinals needed was one more. Nevada got a set-saving dig on the Collard serve, and with help from the net, Nevada was able to keep things alive. Crane assisted Harper for the kill, and that wrapped up the championship 25-23.
Marlee Harper led the team with 22 attacks and gathering 10 kills. VanBecelaere led with 11 kills. Savannah Crane finished with 29 assists.
The tournament improved the team's overall record to 14-6.
Webb City returns to action Tuesday, September 30th with a trip to COC-West opponent Carthage.