Desoto Central bounces WC from volleyball playoffs
Published 5:26 pm Friday, October 20, 2017
Warren Central’s volleyball season came to an end at the hands of a team that looks like it’ll once again be playing until the end.
Desoto Central swept the Lady Vikes 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-12) in the first round of the MHSAA Class III playoffs on Thursday night.
Desoto Central (38-2-1) is chasing its fourth state championship in six seasons, and got off to a rousing start with its fifth consecutive three-set victory and its 14th win in a row overall.
Loni Cook led the Lady Jaguars with 10 kills on 18 attacks, and Kendall Thomas served three aces.
For Warren Central, senior Sydney Stuart had eight kills on 24 attacks in her final high school match. Kene Smith had seven assists and Taylor Smith had six.
Warren Central finished the season with a 14-13 record, and coach Matt Gullett said he was happy with how the team did in a tough assignment against one of the heavy favorites to win the state title.
Desoto Central also eliminated Warren Central in the first round of the playoffs in 2015.
“I’m really proud of the girls for the effort that put up against an offensive juggernaut. The girls never got frustrated and played as a team,” Gullett said. “We came up here two years ago just happy to be in the playoffs. That was a great night, but we didn’t leave happy with the full effort. Tonight we played a team better than the squad two years ago and played competitively. Senior leadership and a hustle mentality were huge this year. We also want to give thanks to the families, faculty, fans and supporters of our program.”