Lady Tigers net one set at Carthage jamboree

Nevada High School senior Jade Feller (1) meets an Aurora opponent at the net while teammates Trinity Gayman (18) and Emma Leisure (3) look on during a volleyball jamboree Tuesday night at Carthage. The Lady Tigers won their first set against the Lady Houns, though each match went into the books as a scrimmage.

Photo by Hank Layton | Daily Mail Sports Reporter

CARTHAGE — The results of the volleyball jamboree Tuesday at Carthage may be unofficial, but the takeaways from it are as real as they get.

“It was a confidence-booster,” Nevada High School head coach Kori Dodson said of her team’s single set victory of the night, 25-17 over Aurora. “We did so many good little things, and then there were just little things we need to improve upon. But that’s what’s so great about the jamboree, having a week before the true season starts to see what we need to focus on in practice after going live.”

The scrimmage against a Big 8 Conference opponent was a welcome conclusion to Nevada’s night after falling to Joplin 25-21, 25-20 and to Carthage 25-20, 25-22.

“Joplin stepped on the court and you’re just like, wow, all right,” Dodson said. “You could tell, the nerves were strong against Joplin. Very scrappy team. Very energetic team. And we competed. That’s what we wanted, especially against schools like this.”

The Lady Tigers had the lead in both sets against Carthage, but the home team was able to squeeze out victories.

Nevada responded with its best performance of the night in the opening set against Aurora, highlighted by late aces from junior Abbey Heathman and senior Grace Barnes, as well as kills by sophomore Delaney Hope, junior Emma Leisure, and senior Macy Cussimanio, most of which were teed up by senior setter Jade Feller.

Dodson subbed in some younger players for the second set, and the teams needed extra points to settle the score. The Lady Houns eventually escaped with a 28-26 win (all sets for the event started at 10-10).

Dodson said she was pleased overall with the team’s performance — but particularly so in one area of the game.

“I felt like our blocking made gains, even from set one to set six,” she said, noting the efforts of Hope and junior Trinity Gayman in the middle, as well as senior Taylor Thompson on the outside. “We put in double blocking and we have made huge strides in regards to that, so that was something I was excited about. Honestly, overall team chemistry, I felt like we made gains in that tonight.”

Dodson was even proud of her assistant coaches, Morgan Sanderson and Emily Howarth.

“Especially against teams like this, you’ve got to be on top of your game and make sure you’re able to point some things out to the players. And that’s where I’m so, so fortunate to have the assistant coaches that I do,” she said. “Coach Sanderson calling the serves is so knowledgeable of the game. And Coach Howarth, too, who’s new with us and she just knows so much, as well. I’m very grateful to have the staff that we do.”