Dexter rallies to down Kennett in season opener

With a revamped starting lineup due to the loss of Dexter's Abbie Warren to injury, Kennett took advantage of the situation and got off to a quick start in front of the home crowd with a 25-14 win in the first game. Dexter regrouped to even the match with a 25-16 win in the second, only to see Kennett jump out to a big advantage in the third and deciding game.

"It was a disappointing way to start off the season," Kennett coach Laura Ort said. "We had a 17-7 lead in the third game, but Dexter's No. 10 (Elisha Flanigan) served nine straight points and completely changed the momentum.

"After that, they (Dexter) couldn't do anything wrong and we couldn't get anything going," Ort continued. "I can think of a million positive things we did tonight (Tuesday), but down the stretch we just got a little tight. We started off so well but we got a little nervous and when we came down the stretch we got a little tight, and they (Dexter) took advantage of our mistakes."

Dexter played the match without Warren, one of four returning starters for the Lady Bearcats and the tallest member of the squad.

"Tonight was a bittersweet beginning to our season," Dexter coach Kris Vandeven said. "With Abbie's injury coming late in the pre-season practice, we only had one day to throw a new line-up together.

"It didn't work," Vandeven added. "We struggled with passing; therefore, we couldn't get in any kind of rhythm to run our offense. We made some adjustments to our line-up in the second game and things started to look up a bit.

"We are just glad to have our first game under our belt and are moving on and putting it behind us," Vandeven noted. "Kennett has one scrappy bunch with a big block. Coach (Laura) Ort has them playing hard."

Cathryn Heil led Dexter with a game-high 16 kills, followed by Jessica Satterfield with eight. Kayla Joyner's 12 digs were a team-high for Dexter, while Satterfield added seven and Brittany Bedford and Heil were each charted with six.

Satterfield was tops in assists with 11, followed by Bedford with eight.

Taylor Wake led Kennett in kills and digs, with eight and ten, respectively. Chrisie Burrow was tops in assists with eight, while Ciara Dewrock's eight blocks led the Lady Indians, followed by Brea Riddle's five.

Dexter made it a sweep on the night when they opened with a 25-8, 25-7 win.

Kennett will next be in action at home Monday when the Lady Indians will host Delta C-7. Dexter next opponent will be on the road against the Jackson Lady Indians. Both matches are scheduled to start at 6 p. m. with jayvee action, followed by varsity play.