Today’s focus for North Callaway is Montgomery County in districts. Wednesday’s focus was to send off the seniors the right way.

The Ladybirds swept Bunceton (25-20, 25-11, 25-16) in their sixth three-set sweep of the season that increased their program single-season record for wins to 12. Seniors Ellie Pezold and Alana Todd each contributed as the setter Pezold led the team with 12 assists and the middle blocker Todd finished with a couple of kills, including the winning one, a service ace, and a block.

North Callaway Senior Night Photo Gallery

Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Shryock had eight kills and seven out of North Callaway’s 15 service aces, and sophomore setter Jaden Smithee finished with 10 assists.

Head coach Andrew Klein said it was important for the Ladybirds (12-16-1) to be focused on Bunceton even though Eastern Missouri Conference champion Montgomery County (10-13-2) was looming the next day. Klein said the Lady Wildcats have defeated North Callaway twice this season in straight sets so he was looking for certain things against Bunceton (2-15-1) the team needs today.

“It’s going to be fast-paced when we play a familiar Montgomery team,” Klein said. “I wanted to make sure we were getting better tonight even on Senior Night. Communicating, concentrating on serves and making sure we’re getting three touches and a swing every single time — things we’re going to have to do in order to beat Montgomery.”

At first, the elements weren’t all there as Bunceton took a 5-0 lead in the first set. The Ladybirds then quickly took the next seven points behind three service aces from freshman outside hitter Rylee Horstman. Shryock’s shot breezed through the Lady Dragon defense to lock in five of her kills in the set.

Pezold served for a 5-0 run later in the set to take a 23-18 lead, and Todd executed a block at the tail end of that run. Todd was in the middle of the action when North Callaway was extending points toward the end of the most contested set of the night.

“I explained to these girls how improved Bunceton was,” Klein said. “I’d seen a little bit of them in a tournament we played earlier on in the year. We’ve really struggled against good or inferior teams starting out quickly. It’s something I’m working as a coach, trying to get them fired up off the get-go, but sometimes it takes a few points. Our girls did (get serious), and I’m happy that they bounced back from that.”

North Callaway’s starts were much faster in the second and third sets. The Ladybirds took an 8-3 lead in the second set after two service aces from sophomore utility player Lakyn Hartley and tacked on a 5-0 run near the end of the frame capped by a Shryock kill. North Callaway took an 8-2 lead at the beginning of the third set, highlighted by Shryock’s second block and a service ace from Todd.

The Ladybirds went on a 4-0 run to bring up match point for them that needed two tries to achieve. On that second try, Pezold pushed up the set that was sliced through the middle of the Lady Dragons by Todd to win the match.

“I was really adamant there before that last point that we get a good pass that our setter — Ellie — can set and get the (last) assist of her last home game and let Alana get a swing and a kill,” Klein said. “The first time, they played good defense against it, and we went right back to it. I was proud of the girls to be able to run a play like that and execute. That’s something that those girls will probably remember forever.”

“Ellie has started for us all year long, she started last year and she’s an awesome setter. Alana is such a great personality, and she’s gotten some spot time in varsity this year and been a great leader on JV.”

North Callaway goes into its Class 2 District 6 Tournament as the No. 6 seed and plays No. 3 Montgomery County at 7 p.m. today in Montgomery City. The winner faces No. 2 Father Tolton (16-8-2) at 7 p.m. Monday.

Ladybirds lose contested straight sets to EMO foe Wright City

The previous match against Wright City was North Callaway’s most competitive match of the year, and Tuesday’s rematch featured more close sets.

North Callaway dropped its final Eastern Missouri Conference match of the season in a three-set loss at Wright City. The Ladybirds came away with the five-set victory in their first meeting with the Lady Wildcats, but this time, they lost sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-20 for the final two.

“It was a tough night of close volleyball, but we got better as a team each set,” head coach Andrew Klein said. “A few balls fall our way, we win in three sets much like Wright City did”

Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Shryock led the team with 11 kills, and sophomore middle blocker Bailey Hill had four blocks.

North Callaway’s final conference record this season is 1-7. Montgomery County finished a perfect 8-0 to win its fifth consecutive Eastern Missouri Conference title.