Fulton falls to Savannah at own tournament

The Lady Hornets finished up play in the 28th-annual Fulton Tournament with a straight-set loss to the eventual tournament champion Lady Savages on Saturday.

Fulton (2-5-2) narrowly fell in the first set 25-23, but bowed in the final set 25-15. Madi Tobias notched five kills, two assists and three digs to guide the Lady Hornets

Fulton upended the Eldon Lady Mustangs to begin tournament play 23-25, 25-23 and 25-18. Senior middle hitter Madison Murphy and freshman outside hitter Kate Pani combined for 10 kills, while Pani and junior outside hitter Madison Dreste combined for 17 digs in the victory.

Murphy produced four kills and four blocks as the Lady Hornets fell in their first meeting of the day with Savannah 27-25 and 25-21 to close out pool play. Fulton and Owensville split its clash in pool play, falling in the first set 25-23, but rallying to take the second 25-18.

The trio of Pani, junior libero Amanda Allison and junior setter Kenzie Shaw combined for nine service aces.

The Lady Hornets started pool play by splitting sets with California. Fulton dropped the first game 25-23, but got five kills from junior middle hitter Rylea Troesser in the second set to prevail 25-19.

Pani's tournament totals of 21 kills and 12 aces earned her second team All-Tournament honors. Senior setter Kat Berry handed out 52 assists, Dreste finished with 25 digs and Troesser and Murphy each had eight blocks.

"I'm very proud of my girls and the way we represented our home court today," Fulton head coach Coleman Lee said. "We played great teams, some of where were undefeated so far this season and were never outmatched.

"I think we're beginning to realize that when we are on top of our game, there is no one on our schedule that we can't compete with."

The Lady Hornets return to North Central Missouri Conference play when they host Kirksville at 5:30 p.m. tonight.