Making the short trek to Steelville last week, Whitney Sooter’s Belle Lady Tiger volleyball team opened the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 2, District 7 Volleyball Tournament.

Opening-round action last Tuesday night pitted Belle against fellow Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) foe Bourbon.

Splitting the first four sets, Belle took game five and the match by scores of 25-14, 25-16, 15-25, 23-25 and 15-7 to advance to the district semifinals last Wednesday against Licking.

Lydia Jones led the Lady Tigers against Bourbon with three aces followed closely with two aces apiece from Hayden Fann, Skylee Railey and Ava Prater. Chloe Jones also served up an ace for Belle against Bourbon.

Chloe Jones led the Lady Tigers with 21 kills followed in double figures by 14 kills from Lydia Jones.

Fann added six kills to go along with two kills from Charleigh Elrod and a kill from Zoe Camden.

Elrod and Lydia Jones also added a block apiece for Belle against Bourbon.

Camden dished out 36 assists to go along with three dimes from Lydia Jones.

Also adding an assist for Belle against Bourbon were Jenna Heidbreder and Chloe Jones.

In last Wednesday’s district semifinals against Licking, Belle dropped the match in three sets by scores of 25-17, 25-16 and 27-25 ending their season at 11-17-4.

Licking went on to sweep Steelville in three sets Friday night to win the district title.

Against the Lady Wildcats, Lydia Jones served up three aces to go along with an ace apiece from Fann and Railey.

Chloe Jones showed the way for Belle with six kills followed by two kills each out of Fann, Camden and Lydia Jones.

Camden also finished with six assists and five digs against Licking while Lydia (12) and Chloe (11) Jones combined for 23 digs.

Fann added four digs to go along with two digs from Emrie Fredendall.