NEOSHO - The Tigers started the night slowly but bounced back to take a first set win over third seeded Carl Junction. Turnabout seemed to be the theme of the match for the two teams as Carl Junction fell behind in the second and third set but pulled away to advance to the title match against Webb City with a 23-25, 25-21, 25-18 victory over Carthage in the semifinals. The Tigers finished the season with a 23-11-1 record in their first season under head coach Olivia Cooley.
"We came to play, and I think we did execute what we wanted to," Cooley said. "It's a tough way to end, but I'm really proud of our seniors and the underclassmen who stepped up tonight too. We were playing our best volleyball at the end of the season, which is all you can ask for."
Senior Alexa Boyle led Carthage with 11 kills. Senior Isabelle Howrey led the team in digs with 12, and junior Chloe Black accounted for a team-high 12 assists.

-Jared Porter, Joplin Globe Sports Online