After splitting a pair of conference matches, Houston volleyball coach Julia Sloan said her team is still searching for consistency.
The Lady Tigers earned a four-set victory at home last Tuesday against Salem (25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18) and were defeated in three sets last Thursday at Mountain Grove (25-22, 25-18, 25-22).
HHS (6-4, 1-2 SCA) was up and down for stretches of both matches.
Against Salem, the Lady Tigers couldn’t close out an 18-12 advantage in the third set and had to play an additional set. Two days later, Houston battled to a tough opening set loss to Mountain Grove before quickly falling behind 13-4 in the second set and never fully recovering.
“We are still lacking that three straight sets consistency that we are working toward,” Sloan said.
In the Salem victory, senior Kayla Wagner led HHS with 18 kills and three aces. Claire Benoist had 13 assists and Gracyn McNiell had a team-best 19 digs. Kynlee Weaver and Arianna Flores had one block apiece.
PHOTOS: HHS volleyball beats Salem at home
“It was a great home conference win,” Sloan said, “and always good to beat Salem.”
At Mountain Grove, McNiell had a pair of aces and 17 digs to lead the team. Wagner added eight kills and 11 assists. Hally Scheets had three blocks.
Sloan said she wasn’t pleased with her team’s lack of attacking. HHS gave the Lady Panthers 30 free balls.
“We never really came out to hit the ball,” she said. “We can’t win games sending that many free balls.”
HHS HOSTING 12-TEAM TOURNAMENT SATURDAY
The Lady Tigers are hosting 12 teams Saturday in the annual In Season Sports and Outdoors Volleyball Tournament inside Tiger Fieldhouse and Hiett Gymnasium. Pool play begins at 8:30 a.m.
Houston will compete in Pool A with Thayer, Bradleyville and Niangua. Games will be on Court A in the Fieldhouse. Pool B includes Willow Springs, Salem, Gainesville and Lesterville on Court 2 inside the Fieldhouse. Pool C will be played in Hiett Gym with Ellington, Mountain Grove, Dora and Mansfield.
Matches will be two sets to 25 beginning at 4-4. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the gold bracket. The bottom teams will play in the silver bracket. Both brackets will be best 2-out-of-3 to 25.
Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students.
