In one of the team’s strongest performances in the 2019 season, Houston topped Salem 25-16, 25-15 in an SCA volleyball match Tuesday (Oct. 8) in Hiett Gymnasium.
In the first set, the Lady Tigers got away early from their visiting namesakes and led 10-3 after an ace by senior Viviana Guerra. Moments later, Houston finished a 7-1 with a kill by junior Prairie Nunnery and led 13-3.
The set ended on a service error by Salem.
The visiting Lady Tigers took an early advantage in the second set and led by as much as 6-3.
But Houston evened things up at 6-all, and the two teams exchanged blows for a while before the home squad got away again.
The Lady Tigers led 20-14 after a kill by senior Janae Huff and finished the set with another ace by Guerra.
Guerra finished with 3 aces and 6 kills in the match, while Huff had 6 kills and 7 assists. Sophomore Hannah Dzurick had 5 kills and a block for Houston, while senior libero Kelly Hubbs had 11 digs and recorded a 2.14 passing rating. Sophomore Sarah Purcell also had a block.
“Overall, I felt like we took care of business,” said HHS head coach Loran Richardson. “We were a little sluggish at times, but we pushed through and got back on track.”
Houston’s junior varsity team beat Salem in a back-and-forth three-set match, 25-17, 22-25, 16-14. The Junior Lady Tigers had 18 kills and 9 aces in the win.
Houston won again last Thursday on the road, sweeping Bourbon 26-24, 25-14.
Guerra had 6 kills for the Lady Tigers (6-10, 2-3 SCA after the match), while Dzurick notched 6 assists, Hubbs had 22 digs (and a 2.35 passing rating) and Huff and junior Lexie Spratt each served 2 aces.
Houston’s JV team also beat Bourbon, 25-20, 18-25, 15-3. The Junior Lady Tigers had 17 kills and 10 aces in the win.
Houston was in the field Saturday at the annual Licking Tournament, and lost to Licking and Steelville and tied Eminence and St. Charles at one set apiece.
Purcell had a whopping 17 kills in the event, while Huff and Dzurick each had 11. Huff also recorded 31 assists, while Hubbs had 33 digs and junior Kellsi Gayer served 5 aces.
During yet another busy stretch of the season, Houston traveled Monday for a nonconference match at Dixon and prevailed in decisive fashion, 25-8, 25-10. Gayer and junior Saydie Hughes each served 4 aces for the Lady Tigers (7-12-2, 2-3 SCA after the match).
Houston’s JV also beat Dixon, 25-10, 25-15, recording 12 kills, 13 aces and 1 block in the process. The victory improved the Junior Lady Tigers’ season record to 14-3.
Houston wrapped up the home schedule on Tuesday of this week with a senior night match against SCA foe Willow Springs.
The Lady Tigers will finish the regular season next week with road matches Tuesday at Mountain Grove and Thursday at Winona.