Lady Hornets go down fighting in NCMC loss at Boonville

BOONVILLE - It will end up in the loss column, but Fulton head coach Megan Youse saw signs of progress with her Lady Hornets volleyball team.

Fulton battled Boonville before bowing in a 25-20, 25-19 North Central Missouri Conference loss Thursday night. The loss dropped the Lady Hornets to 7-8 overall and 3-3 in the NCMC.

Sophomore outside hitter Kate Pani posted eight kills for Fulton, while senior libero Amanda Allison and senior outside hitter Maddie Droeste added 15 and eight digs, respectively. Senior setter Kenzie Shaw registered 14 assists.

"It was like a different team tonight," Youse said. "That was the best game we've probably played in five matches. We would have an error, then immediately make up for it.

"It was fun and the girls played with intensity. It may have been a loss on the scoreboard, but it doesn't feel like a loss."

The Lady Hornets (4-7) lost the junior varsity match 25-17 and 25-21. Junior setter Colleen Van Norman finished with four assists and two aces, while sophomore defensive specialist Kelsey Neal had seven digs.

Fulton (1-6-1) fell in the freshman match 25-16 and 25-5. Defensive specialist Kristine Malone recorded four digs and setter Rileigh Huffman contributed two assists and two aces.

The Lady Hornets stay on the road for a tripleheader at NCMC foe Marshall at 5 p.m. Tuesday.