Bob Foos
Webb City is back on the state volleyball bracket after winning districts for the fifth time in a row.
The Cardinals, on Tuesday in their Dome home packed with two large student cheer sections, defeated Carl Junction in straight sets, 25-21, 25-18 and 25-20, to win the Class 4 District 6 tournament.
The quarterfinal game Saturday at Marshfield will be a rematch of last year’s district final at Springfield Catholic. Marshfield got to that final by defeating Carl Junction 3-2. The Cardinals defeated the Lady Jays 3-1 and went on to host Jefferson City in the quarterfinal round. Jeff City won that match (as it did in 2023) and took second place in the final four.
This year, Marshfield knocked off Jefferson City in the District 5 final.
The winner on Saturday will go on to the final four at Civic Arena in St. Joseph, beginning Nov. 4.
Webb City coach Rhonda Lawrence said her players, led by seniors Savannah Crane, Avery Gardner and Marlee Harper, were not over confident – but determined – to continue the district-winning streak.
She said the key to winning was, “that determination, and they were not going to accept anything less from each other, and they really pushed each other.”
Those seniors don’t know what it’s like not to be district champs. “They are pretty blessed,” said Lawrence.
With that experience, she said they wanted the championship again “so bad. “They did not want to leave being the class that did not win a district championship because they’ve watched everybody ahead of them.
Carl Junction’s Bulldogs last won the district championship in 2020, when they defeated the Cardinals 3-0 in the final.
The Cardinals’ streak began in 2021 with an underdog-win over Carl Junction. They also took first place over CJ in 2022 and 2023. And then last year they defeated Marshfield for the district trophy.
It was in 2022 that the Cardinals made their only trip to Cape Girardeau for the final four. They wound up a marathon day with fourth place.
The 24-10 Cardinals and 28-9-2 Lady Jays have nearly the same record against common opponents.
Lawrence said she expects a tough match. “That’s kind of why we try to go to play those bigger tournaments, that we sharpen our skills so that when we play good teams like that, then we’re ready.”
The quarterfinal will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Marshfield High School, east of Exit 100 on I-44. Tickets will be at the gate.
The quarterfinal can be watched for $10 on MSHSAA.TV!
Zachary Dobbs video
Zachary Dobbs video
Zachary Dobbs video