Lady Hornets volleyball team falls short in Class 3 sectionals

MOUNTAIN GROVE - The Fulton Lady Hornets ended their season with a back-and-forth, three-set loss to Carl Junction in the Class 3 sectional playoffs on Saturday.

Fulton won the first game 26-24, then dropped the final two 25-21 and 25-19.

The two teams were tied at 22 in the first game and went point-for-point before Fulton used an ace and an unforced error by Carl Junction to win it. The Lady Hornets were then down by as many as seven points in the second game and were rocked by a collision between their two middle hitters in game three.

Senior middle hitter Corri Hamilton had 10 kills and three blocks combined for Fulton, while junior setter Melissa Hoerber contributed 21 assists, six kills and 11 digs. Junior libero Allie Pierce added 13 digs and junior defensive specialist Bailey Mitchell had four kills, a block and four aces.

The Lady Hornets, making their third straight playoff appearance, ended their season with a 19-13-2 record.

"I am proud of the girls and they showed so much heart and passion on Saturday," Fulton head coach Megan Youse said. "As sad as I am to see the season end and as much as our senior, Corri, will be missed, I am really looking forward to building a stronger program in the offseason so we can be back here next year."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.