The Chillicothe Lady Hornets volleyball team entered the Class 3 District 16 tournament at 14-16 on the season. As the number 4 seed, Chillicothe matched up against #5 Cameron in the first round from Savannah High School. The Lady Hornets defeated Cameron in the regular season, however the Dragons were not an easy out, taking the match to 5 sets.
In the district contest, Cameron started strong taking an early 10-5 lead in the opening set. Impressive serving from Emmy Lent leveled the game at 10-10 and Chillicothe pulled ahead 13-11, but then the Lady Dragons made their move. Cameron ripped off 8 straight points and pulled away for the first set 25-18. After a back and forth start in the 2nd set, Chillicothe created some separation leading 18-10. Cameron once again played better down the stretch, winning 15 of the final 19 points including the final three to take the 2nd set 25-22.
In the 3rd set the Lady Hornets came out refocused. The early portion was nearly even with the sides tied at 12-12 when Clara Fisher and Kami Snyder took over for Chillicothe. Fisher provided a handful of powerful spikes past the Dragons defense while Snyder went on a run serving, then on set point Snyder delivered the game winning kill as Chillicothe took the third set 25-15.
Chillicothe’s backs remained against the wall in the 4th set, and the Lady Hornets held a 6-2 advantage at the start. Cameron went on a run to take a 4 point lead of their own before the Lady Hornets tied it up at 13-13. Chillicothe had no answer for Lady Dragons outside hitter Claire Hovey down the stretch, and Cameron overpowered Chillicothe for a 25-17 win.
The Lady Dragons pulled off the upset 3-1 to advance to the district semifinals against Maryville. The Lady Hornets season ends with a 14-17 record under first year Head Coach Madison Busse.
