Volleyball Team Takes 2nd At County Tourney

McDonald County was within one point of winning the opening game of the championship match of Saturday’s 19th Annual Lady Mustang Classic Volleyball Tournament, but instead the Branson Lady Pirates rallied with six consecutive points for a 26-24 win, then posted a convincing 25-16 win in the second game to claim the tournament title.

The Lady Mustangs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first game and maintained a small advantage for the first half of the game before Branson took its first lead at 14-13. Branson led 17-15, but the Lady Mustangs answered to take a 20-19 edge. After Branson tied the game at 20-20, McDonald County scored four straight points to get within a point of taking the game, but couldn’t convert the game winner.

In the second game, Branson took an early 7-2 lead and was never threatened.

Branson advanced to the title match by beating Diamond in the semifinals while McDonald County rallied to take a three-game match against Wheaton.

Wheaton took the first game 25-21, holding on after building a 20-9 lead. Alex Gross got McDonald County back into the game with seven consecutive service points to help McDonald County close to 21-18. But Wheaton scored the next three points to get a point away from taking the game. Bailey Rickett stuffed a Wheaton spike and registered a kill for two Lady Mustang points before the Lady Bulldogs converted the game winner.

McDonald County dominated the early portion of the second game, building a 10-1 lead, and stretching the margin to 18-5, before Wheaton scored eight straight points to close to 18-13. McDonald County answered by taking the seven out of the last 10 points of the game for a 25-16 win.

In the third and deciding game, the Lady Mustangs stretched an early 3-2 lead to a 13-4 advantage on the way to an easy 25-11 win.

McDonald County opened bracket play with a 25-10, 25-7 win over Gentry, keyed by eight kills from Lindsey Limore and 14 service points by Destiny Arnall.

McDonald County swept its six games in pool play to earn the top

PHOTO BY RICK PECK McDonald County High School honored the senior members of the 2016 Lady Mustang volleyball team prior to their 25-16, 25-16 win over Seneca on Oct. 4 at MCHS.