For McDonald County, Shaye Buttram had 15 assists, Ryan Parsons seven kills and two blocks and Callie Shaver eight digs.

Carl Junction coach Sarah Wall credited the Bulldogs’ two seniors, Desiree Felker and Korie Johnson, with helping turn the final around.

“They stepped up and the girls rallied around them,” Wall said. “Felker was aggressive at the net. Johnson was receiving serves very well and was making all the passes.”

Bulldogs earn #1 seed in districts

The host Bulldog spikers and McDonald County are seeded No. 1 and 2, respectively, in the Class 3 District 12 Tournament scheduled Monday and Tuesday, October 26 and 27.

The schedule on Monday is fourth-seeded Nevada vs. Monett and third-seeded East Newton vs. Seneca.

Times for the semifinals and final on Tuesday are 5:30 p.m., 7 and 8:30. 

CJ falls in regular season finale

The Aurora Houn' Dawgs spoiled Carl Junction's shot a Big 8 championship, defeating the Bulldogs 25-23, 25-20 at CJHS.

Carl Junction led in each game, including 17-11 in the second.  But Aurora ran off 11 consecutive points to claim a 22-17 edge.

The teams traded points the rest of the way, with Aurora leading 23-18, 24-19 and eventually 25-20.

Carl Junction finished 5-2 in conference play, with an overall regular season record of 17-11-2.

The Bulldogs take the home court again Tuesday, facing the winner of the Nevada / Monett contest in Missouri Class 3 District 12 play.  

Carl Junction defeats Patriots

Carl Junction hiked its Big 8 Conference record to 5-1 and went to 17-10-2 overall with a win against East Newton.

The Bulldogs won 25-14, 25-18 behind Desiree Felker's nine service points and Katelyn Joyner's 11 assists.

Katy Cooper had seven kills and three blocks to lead East Newton (14-12, 4-2).

The Bulldogs have one conference match remaining.  They'll take on Aurora in Carl Junction Thursday, where a victory will result in a share of the 2009 Big 8 title.

Bulldogs finish 2-3 in Ozark Tournament

The day's long set of matches opened with a tough 27-25 loss to Salem but the Bulldogs finished strong, winning their final two matches to win their bracket in the Ozark Grand Slam Tournament.

After their opening loss to Salem, including a 25-12 setback in game two, the Bulldogs ended pool play with another pair of losses to Ozark (25-17, 25-16) and Marshfield (25-15, 25-19).

CJ then knocked off Monett (25-22, 25-16) and West Plains (25-22, 26-24) to end the day 2-3 and 16-10-2 for the season.

Statistical leaders for the Bulldogs were Katelyn Joyner with 22 points, 8 aces, 50 assists and 4 solo blocks, Mackenzie Valenti with 38 kills and Harlee Stutesman with 14 digs.

CJ moves to 4-1 in Big 8 with win over Monett

The Carl Junction Bulldogs defeated the Monett Cubs 25-15, 25-13 in Big 8 Conference action.

Katelyn Joyner led the Bulldogs with two aces, 17 assists and three blocks.  Mackenzie Valenti finished with 10 kills for the Bulldogs, now 4-1 in league play and 14-7-2 overall.

Bulldogs outlast Seneca

Storming back in the final two sets, the Carl Junction Bulldogs defeated the Seneca Indians 24-26, 25-15, 25-10.

Mikenna Eberhart tallied four aces for the Bulldogs.  Teammates Mackenzie Valenti finished  with 12 kills while Katelyn Joyner added 22 assists.

Taylor Parmley paced the Indians with eight kills.

Bulldogs win at Cassville

Carl Junction improved to 2-1 in the Big 8 Conference with a 25-23, 25-12 victory over Cassville.

Mackenzie Valenti led the Bulldogs, 12-7-2 overall, with 21 kills and Katelyn Joyner had 21 assists and four blocks.

Marti Richmiller and Olivia Cline had five kills each for Cassville, 14-5-3 and 2-1.

The Wildcats play Saturday in the Neosho Tournament. Carl Junction entertains Seneca on Tuesday.

Carl Junction evens Big 8 mark at 1-1 with win over Lamar

Carl Junction topped Lamar 25-21, 19-25, 25-10, moving to 11-7-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 8.  The Bulldogs were paced by Katelyn Joyner's 6 aces, 10 assists and 2 blocks.  Mackenzie Valenti added 9 kills, while Korie Johnson and Harlee Stutesman each pitched in 3 digs.

Lamar dropped to 9-11 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Mt. Vernon tops CJ

Erica Walters had 12 digs to help Mount Vernon past Carl Junction 25-20, 6-25, 25-10 in Big 8 Conference action.

Kenzie Williams collected seven kills, seven assists and two blocks. Monica Senninger chipped in with three aces among 10 points for Mount Vernon.

Mackenzie Valenti paced the Bulldogs with 14 kills, and Katelyn Joyner added 16 assists, three digs and four aces.

Bulldogs sweep Seneca

Katelyn Joyner had 18 assists and Mackenzie Valenti 12 kills as the Carl Junction Bulldogs defeated Seneca 25-20 and 25-14.  Carl Junction, recording their 10th win of the year (10-6-2 overall) also received four aces from Harlee Stutesman and 11 service points from Korie Johnson.  Desiree Felker added three digs for the Bulldogs.

Carthage wins CJ Classic

The Carthage Tigers knocked off College Heights Saturday, claiming the 2009 CJ Classic tournament title.

Carl Junction defeated Neosho and Nevada in their first two matches before falling to Girard to finish 2-1 in pool play.  The Bulldogs then faced Joplin in the first round of bracket play, losing to the Eagles 23-25, 20-25.

Katelyn Joyner was named to the All-Tournament Team.  She finished with 71 assists and 19 service points for the day.  Other statistical leaders for the Bulldogs were Mackenzie Valenti (44 kills), Korie Johnson (5 aces), Harlee Stutesman (23 digs) and Emily Zimmerman (9 blocks).

Strong Ozark team knocks off Bulldogs

Ozark defeated Carl Junction 25-12, 25-10, 25-11 in a best-of-five sets nonleague match.  The Tigers are currently undefeated and ranked #5 in Missouri Class 4.

Jade Hayes had 19 kills and four blocks to lead the Tigers while Sidney Potts finished with 33 assists.

The Bulldogs received four digs from Harley Stutesman and 13 kills from Mackenzie Valenti.

Bulldogs outlast Monett in marathon set

After winning game one 25-17, Carl Junction and Monett took the court for game two and 64 points later, the Bulldogs came out on top 33-31.

"The second set might have been the longest one game set I have ever been involved in," said an elated Coach Wall after the match.  "We came back from being behind 24-22.  Our girls just never quit."

Mackenzie Valenti hit two of her eight kills at the end, finishing off the Big 8 rival Cubs.  Valenti added a pair of blocks.

Desiree Felker's eight kills and three digs were among team leaders, while teammate Katelyn Joyner added 19 assists and ten service points.

The Bulldogs face unbeaten Ozark Thursday night at home.  The Tigers are currently ranked fifth in Missouri Class 4.

Carl Junction falls to Mac County

Ryan Parsons hit 13 kills and served four aces as McDonald County rallied to defeat Carl Junction 18-25, 25-16, 25-20 in the Bulldogs’ gymnasium.

Callie Shaver had 10 digs, and Jessica Hackett served 10 points for the Mustangs (6-3-1).

Mackenzie Valenti had 10 kills to pace the Bulldogs (6-3-2). Other Carl Junction leaders included Katelyn Joyner with 20 assists, Korie Johnson with eight points, Desiree Felker with four digs and Emily Zimmerman with two blocks.

Carl Junction nips Nevada

Mackenzie Valenti had nine kills as Carl Junction slipped past Nevada 25-23, 26-24 Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs (6-2-2) also received 18 assists and two blocks from Katelyn Joyner, six digs each from Korie Johnson, Desiree Felker and Johanna Lingner, and two aces among seven points from Felker.

"We redeemed ourselves last night after coming off an ugly loss to College Heights," Carl Junction coach Sarah Wall stated after the game.  "We came out ready to play and responded with hustle and played our hearts out."

The Bulldogs return the court Thursday night, hosting McDonald County.

Cougars top Carl Junction

Kaylle Ohmart turned in 10 service points to help lead the College Heights Cougars past the visiting Carl Junction Bulldogs 25-13, 25-17, 25-21 in non-conference action.

“We knew it would be a tough game,” Gaines said. “The girls were real excited about playing (the Bulldogs) because we knew they are a good team.

“I felt like our girls really came out ready to play and played with a lot of intensity.”

Kelsie Bodine added 11 kills and Hannah Myers chipped in four aces and 12 digs to lead the Cougars (6-2-2).

"Their team came out on fire," Carl Junction coach Sarah Wall said afterwards.  "College Heights played harder than we did and fundamentally schooled us."

Korie Johnson recorded an ace and eight digs for the Bulldogs (5-2-2), while teammate Emily Zimmerman added five service points and a pair of blocks.  Katelyn Joyner finished with 8 digs, 23 assists and 2 blocks, while Mackenzie Valenti added 10 kills and 2 blocks.