Tigers take 2 of 3 at Pittsburg quad

Fort Scott High's volleyball team opened its season by taking two of three matches at a non-league quadrangular in Pittsburg Saturday.

The Tigers opened with a 28-26, 25-23 sweep of Girard, usually one of the top teams in the area. Mallory Shelton recorded 19 kills. Kenzie Heatherly handed out 20 assists and Paige Denton had 10 digs.

"We played pretty well," Fort Scott head coach Carol Bingesser said of the opening match. "Mallory had some big hits. We passed against Girard better than in the next two matches."

Pittsburg, the defending Southeast Kansas League champion, swept the Tigers in the second match, 25-20, 25-10. Shelton had 7 kills, Heatherly 9 assists and Denton 8 digs.

"Pitt came out fired up and we were a little taken back by their spirit," Bingesser said. "We played well in the first game. Shelby Maycumber ripped off several service points in a row but we just couldn't get over the hump.

"In the second game, our passing let us down. We couldn't get a decent pass, so then we couldn't get a good set, so then we never got a good, clean hit at anything."

The Tigers defeated Columbus in their final match, 25-22, 25-21. Shelton had 9 kills and 7 digs, Heatherly 13 assists and Denton 8 digs.

Fort Scott goes to Chanute tonight for a non-league triangular. Pittsburg Colgan will also be there. Play begins at 5 p.m.