Volleyball roundup: Vicksburg, Warren Central score region victories

Published 9:55 am Wednesday, September 7, 2022

1 of 6

Vicksburg's Anicia Dixon (6) bumps the ball during Tuesday's match against Forest Hill. Vicksburg won 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15). (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)

Vicksburg High volleyball player Lili Kistler hits the ball back over the net during Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Forest Hill. (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)

Vicksburg's Amari Johnson (4) bumps the volleyball during Tuesday's match against Forest Hill. Vicksburg won 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15) for its third win in a row.. (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)

Vicksburg High volleyball players Anicia Dixon (6) and Lexi Kistler (11) celebrate after winning a point Tuesday against Forest Hill. Vicksburg won the match 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15). (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)

Vicksburg High volleyball player Lexi Kistler serves the ball during Tuesday's match against Forest Hill. Vicksburg won the match 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15). (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)

Vicksburg High volleyball players Sha'Tora Knight (15) collides with teammate Makynzie Dunmore after they hit a ball over the net against Forest Hill. (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)

Vicksburg High has won two volleyball region championships in a row, and seems to be cruising toward a third.

The Missy Gators took control early in all three sets Tuesday, and steamrolled Forest Hill 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15) for its third consecutive victory.

Vicksburg (6-2, 3-0 MHSAA Region 6-5A) is undefeated at the halfway point of its region schedule and will host Brookhaven Thursday at 6 p.m.

Coach Deborah Brown said a mix of senior leadership and freshman energy has sparked the team’s recent run.

“It’s my seniors. And then I have some outstanding freshmen that have come in and added some fuel to us,” Brown said. “Jordan Grace is a great hitter, setter and server. And (Amari Johnson) and Gracelyn Edwards have that oomph. They hustle.”

Against Forest Hill, the Missy Gators combined both of those aspects to earn an easy win. They went on a 14-4 run in the first set, a 10-1 run in the second, and closed out the third with an 8-3 surge.

“It was all about communicating. Calling for the ball and attacking the ball,” Brown said. “When we do three hits, we play good ball. We try to be a team — work together so everybody can touch the ball.”

Warren Central 3, Pearl 2
Warren Central rallied to win the last two sets, and claimed a huge 3-2 (21-25, 25-10, 27-29, 25-20, 15-11) victory over Pearl in its MHSAA Region 6-6A opener on Tuesday.

Skylar Beard had six kills, and Ellie Henderson had three solo blocks and four kills for the Lady Vikes. Kat Wong served four aces.

Warren Central evened its overall record at 6-6, and will play another region match at home Thursday against Northwest Rankin. The junior varsity begins at 5 p.m. and varsity at 6, and both matches are at Warren Central Junior High.

About Ernest Bowker

Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Post's sports editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post's sports staff since 1998, making him one of the longest-tenured reporters in the paper's 140-year history. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his career, he has won more than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Association and Associated Press for his coverage of local sports in Vicksburg.

More by Ernest