Tiger varsity 1-4 at Pittsburg

PITTSBURG -- Fort Scott High School's varsity volleyball team won only one of four matches at a tough tournament here Saturday.

The Tigers (11-7) defeated Labette County in three games in the final match of the day for their only win. Scores were 21-25, 25-19, 26-24.

The Tigers faced Girard, a Class 4A State Tournament qualifier last season, first and lost 25-12, 25-13. Next came defending Southeast Kansas League champion Pittsburg. The Tigers took the Purple Dragons to three games but fell, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19.

Third in line was Paola, a tough program from up by the Kansas City area. The Panthers won 25-10, 25-18. Finally, the Tigers played Carthage (Mo.), which would likely be a Class 6A school if it were in Kansas. Carthage won that match, 25-18, 25-16.

Against Girard, Mallory Shelton had 5 kills and Sammi Therwhanger had 3 kills and 8 digs. Courtney Carpenter also had 5 digs. Libby Halsey had 5 assists.

Against Pittsburg, Shelton and Megan McDermed had 6 kills each. Therwhanger had 6 digs and Halsey had 15 assists. Shelton also had 6 blocks.

"Against Pittsburg, we came out strong and played very well in the first game," Fort Scott High head coach Carol Bingesser said. "Mallory played outstanding at the net, blocking Pitt's best player (Ashley) Willis, causing them to start tipping.

"We had the second game won but missed two key serves at the end that cost us. In the third game, we let them get a 21-16 lead. We started a comeback but it was too late."

In the Paola match, Shelton finished with 6 kills and 3 blocks. Halsey recorded 10 assists.

Against Carthage, Therwhanger had 3 kills and 2 blocks while Shelton had 3 kills and 4 blocks.

In the LCHS match, Therwhanger had 4 kills and 2 blocks. Campbell recorded 3 kills, Halsey 11 assists ad Shelton 5 kills and 4 blocks.

The Tigers host Parsons and Coffeyville to open Southeast Kansas League play at 5 p.m. Thursday in the FSHS gymnasium.