The Lady Hornets gave more than Kirksville expected Thursday.
Fulton still lost in three sets to the Lady Tigers (24-26, 19-25, 22-25) but still played with the cohesion and ability that head coach Nicole Murphy has been looking for the previous couple weeks.
The Lady Hornets have been searching for a 20-point set since their match with the Lady Tigers on Oct. 10, 2019, when Fulton lost a two-set match (23-25, 21-25) and when current players Quiara Walton and Olivia Huff were freshmen. Fulton's previous-high of points in a set against Kirksville was in the previous season's Sept. 15 match, when the Lady Hornets lost the third set 17-25.
"I thought we put up a fight that Kirksville did not expect," Murphy said. "If we can keep this momentum how we played (Thursday) into the next two weeks, I think we can give whoever we face in districts a run for their money."
No. 4 seed Fulton will have No. 5 seed Mexico on Oct. 21 in the Class 4 District 8 tournament in Hannibal but not before five matches and an Eldon tournament, which the Lady Hornets will have next on Saturday.
The C and junior varsity teams each lost in two sets to Kirksville prior to varsity. After those matches, senior Teagan Dailey was honored for the Lady Hornets' senior night.