Thursday sports: Lady Jags take school-day game from Center Hill

DESOTO CENTRAL 2, CENTER HILL 0: The Lady Jags welcomed Center Hill to their gymnasium for a school-day game Thursday morning. DeSoto Central also welcomed a packed gym full of students for the contest and then proceeded to send them back to class happy with a 2-0 victory over the Lady Mustangs. Set scores were 25-10 and 25-17.  

DeSoto Central opened the first set riding a hot service hand of Shelbi Smith, whose run of points led to a 14-4 lead before a Center Hill sideout.  An ace from Nyre Tillman got the Lady Mustangs within 14-7 but the Lady Jags put another string of points together for a 20-8 lead. A kill from Genesis Weeks would end the set for DeSoto Central 25-10. 

In the second set, the Lady Jags again had the early advantage but Center Hill answered with a drop shot from Ella Richard got the Lady Mustangs within 11-10, followed with a kill by Tamlyn Craig gave Center Hill a 12-11 lead. However, that would be the final lead for the Lady Mustangs, as DeSoto Central tied and took the lead for good from there. Emma Story scored off a block for a 17-12 lead, Smith served an ace for a 23-16 edge leading to the 25-17 victory  

DeSoto Central coach Margaret Falatko said she wanted her team to play well in front of their fellow students. 

“It’s fun to be able to show off to their peers,” Falatko said. “You can build your fan base and if you play well more people are going to come out to your games throughout the season.”  

Before the match, Reese McIntosh was honored for reaching 1,000 career digs for DeSoto Central.  

“She started out as a libero her freshman and sophomore years and got moved to outside last year,” said Falatko. “She’s just been a consistent person in the program. She passes well, plays great defense, and now she’s able to get us kills from the front row, too.”  

Prep softball

DeSoto School 13, Magnolia Heights 9

Aug 22, 2024

Prep volleyball

DeSoto Central 2, Center Hill 0 (25-10 25-17)

(DeSoto Central: Zion Rucker had 7 kills and 2 blocks. Emma Story had 5 kills. Sydney Tague had 19 assists and 4 digs. Remy McIntosh had 5 digs. Shelbi Smith and Brenna Sorenson each had 3 aces.)

Collierville, Tenn. 3, Lewisburg 2 (25-27, 23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-4)

(Lewisburg: Claire Smith 31 assists, 12 digs, 3 blocks; Jordis Newsom 12 kills; Ava Becker 10 kills, 15 digs, 2 aces; Hallie Wright 8 kills, 4 blocks; Mary Olivia Barnes 7 blocks)

Olive Branch 3, South Panola 0

Lake Cormorant 3, Saltillo 0 (25-8, 25-7, 25-5)

(Lake Cormorant: Sofia Gonzalez 11 kills; Dallas White 6 aces, 23 assists; Jania Rose 20 digs)

Oxford 3, Southaven 0

Hernando 3, Horn Lake 0 (25-11; 25-4; 25-8)

Northpoint Christian 3, St. Benedict at Auburndale 0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-13)

(Northpoint: Quinn Thurman: 10 Kills, 9 Digs, 1 Block, 1 Ace; Chrissy Nolan: 8 Kills, 1 Dig, 1 Block; Kylee Reynolds: 6 Kills, 5 Blocks, 1 Dig) 

JUCO Volleyball – at Irving, Texas

Dallas College – North Lake 3, Northwest 1 (25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 25-11)

Northeast Oklahoma A&M 3, Northwest 1 (25-16, 13-25, 25-20, 25-23)

Aug 21, 2024

Prep volleyball

DeSoto Central 3, St. Mary’s 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-23)

(DeSoto Central; Sydney Tague had 27 assists and 3 aces. Zion Rucker had 9 kills and 4 blocks. Emma Story had 9 kills and Genesis Weeks added 4 blocks. Shelbi Smith had 12 digs and 3 aces. Brenna Sorenson had 12 digs. Marlee Mueller had 6 aces and 10 digs)