BY JASON PEAKE
Rhonda Moore had been patiently waiting for her Webb City Cardinals to play to their potential on the volleyball court.
Over the past week or so, Moore didn't recognize the squad that dropped three straight matches.
But on Saturday, the veteran coach definitely liked what she saw.
Webb City advanced all the way to the championship game of the Dr. Jeffrey Knutzen CJ Classic Volleyball Tournament before falling to Rogersville 2-0 (25-9, 25-18) inside the Carl Junction High School gymnasium.
Moore was encouraged because her Cardinals went 5-1 on the day, with the lone loss coming to the talented Wildcats, a team now 20-1 on the season and ranked third in Missouri by MaxPreps.
"It was nice to see my team back," Moore said. "We hadn't been playing like ourselves. It was nice to see the girls play with confidence and really get after it today. I really think this is a great confidence-builder for us."
In pool play, Webb City earned wins over Nevada (2-1), McDonald County (2-0) and Eminence (2-0). In bracket play, Webb City beat Rogers (Arkansas) 2-0 and Mountain View-Liberty 2-1.
Webb City senior setter Abby Brownfield earned all-tourney honors after recording 98 assists and 29 digs. Junior outside hitter Anna Swearengen slammed 35 kills, while sophomore right side hitter Maddy Peeples contributed 30 kills and senior libero Emma Catterson had 47 digs for the Cardinals (14-7-2). "Everybody chipped in and helped out," Moore said. "Hopefully we're getting back on our feet and hopefully today will help us get to where we want to be."
A newcomer to the event, Rogersville went 6-0 on the day and dropped just one set en route to the championship.
"I'm proud of my kids," Rogersville coach Tammy Miller said. "It's always nice to win a tournament. I thought we played sluggish. We need to learn to stay focused. But I was proud because they got behind a few times and kept plugging away. Our blocking was a lot better today and our pursuit effort was good. We saw some new teams, and hopefully our kids will learn something from this."
Rogersville junior outside hitter Birdie Hendrickson was named the tourney's Most Valuable Player after compiling 50 kills and 44 digs, while junior outside hitter Claire Taylor earned all-tourney honors after contributing 46 digs and 40 kills.
In the title match, the Wildcats led 13-1 in the first set and never looked back. The second set was tied at 9 when Webb City's Talyn Smith served back-to-back aces to put the Cardinals in front. The set was tied at 14 when the Wildcats gained the momentum and rattled off 11 of the next 15 points.