The Class 5 13th-ranked Republic Tigers went on the road and earned a 25-15, 25-21 and 25-16 sweep over the Class 4 ninth-ranked Webb City Cardinals in Central Ozark Conference action on Thursday inside the Cardinal Dome.
Once Republic (21-5, 5-2 COC) gained the momentum in each set over Webb City (18-5, 4-3 COC), the Tigers never relinquished it.
Republic and Webb City traded points in the opening set until a sideout kill from Alaina Norman followed by a four-point service run from Brooklyn Claxton that featured a pair of aces gave the Tigers a 14-10 advantage. Holding a 17-13 lead on a kill from Rilynn Finley, the Tigers scored the next five points—thanks to three Finley kills—to lead 22-13 before finishing off the set soon after.
An early six-point service run from Republic's Reese Frey, with Addison Fanning earning three kills, gave the Tigers a 10-5 lead in the second set. Webb City used a three-point service run from Mia Lenker that featured an ace and a block from Aubree Lassiter and another three-point run from Kirra Long later in the set put Webb City on top 16-15, with the Cardinals ultimately taking a 20-17 advantage on a kill from Jaeli Rutledge. Republic scored eight of the next nine points to come all the way back for the 25-21 win. Finley added four kills in that span.
Webb City tied the third set at 5-5 off a kill from Makayla Mayes before Republic responded by going on a 14-4 run to hold a 20-9 lead that proved to be too great for Webb City to rally. Finley had two kills, Norman had two kills and Fanning had two kills for the Tigers.
Rutledge led the Cardinals with 12 kills, while Lassiter and Mayes added four kills apiece.
Savannah Crane handed out 17 assists and Sophia Crane recorded a team-high 13 digs. Avery Gardner added eight digs and Jadyn Catterson had six digs.
Webb City takes part in the Lori Endicott Volleyball Tournament hosted by Willard over the weekend.