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We are excited to announce “The Buzz” which will be a type of story published when there are multiple events happening in one night. Instead of making individual stories for each respective sport, we will combine stories into one post for Yellowjacket fans to read. Enjoy!
Lebanon soccer prevails over Crocker in penalty kicks
The Lebanon Yellowjacket boys’ soccer team won in penalty kicks over the Crocker Lions on Thursday night at home.
The ‘Jacket struck first on a cross by freshman Trent Penner that sophomore Will Hodges was able to put away to go up 1-0.
Crocker tied the game in the second half, and both teams had multiple opportunities to score before the final whistle, but penalty kicks were the deciding factor.
Lebanon went on to win 3-0 in penalty kicks after Jordan Light, Jeremiah Rivera, and Noah Anderson made their shots. Chris Kilburn came up huge in goal, saving all three kicks that he faced.
“Crocker is a good team and has improved a lot from last year,” head coach Matt Jernigan said about the win. “Their new coach, Rich Heenan, is doing a great job, and they have some talented players.
“We tell our keeper it is his job to save one of the five kicks, and we need to make all of ours. Toph (Chris) saved all three and really stepped up. He is a tremendous athlete and competitor.”
Lebanon will host Fair Grove on Monday night.
Volleyball team wins over West Plains in five set thriller
It took five sets, but the Lady ‘Jackets were victorious over the West Plains Lady Zizzers on Thursday night at Boswell Auditorium, 19-25, 25-17, 30-28, 18-25, 19-17.
Before the match, the team recognized its five seniors: Addy Collins, Sadie Douglas, Ella Goforth, Ciaria Keeney, and Raylee Quick.
“These five seniors have made a huge impact on this program,” head coach Jenny Collins said. “The kids in our program, as well as the junior class parents and former player Ellee Douglas, did an excellent job in making this year’s senior group feel special.”
Both teams came into the contest with an 18-11-1 record, but a first set where LHS had 10 hitting errors with only nine kills wasn’t enough to get the job done. In the second set and on, Lebanon’s hitters responded nicely and made the necessary changes, as in the four remaining sets of the night, with the 3rd set going 30-28, only committed a total of 17 hitting errors, allowing them to stay in the match.
“Ciaria Keeney turned it on, earning 15 kills, with junior Rilee Jackson coming on strong, especially late in the match, earning 10, and junior Kaidynce Buttram snagging 10 of her own,” said Collins. “Saylor Helton led defensive efforts with 32 digs followed by Addy Collins with 28, Morgan Durbin (22) and Sadie Douglas (16).”
Lebanon jumped out early in the fifth and final set, but the Zizzers fought back and were on set point before falling just short. Addy Collins delivered an ace on a serve to secure the set and match, 17-15.
“We had to earn the win, and I’m very proud of our kids in the way that they continued to battle, showing grit and determination while defending our home court,” Collins stated. “That determination will benefit us moving on into district play.”
The first round of districts is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21st, at Waynesville against the Nixa Eagles.
The varsity team wrapped up their regular season 19-11-1 (7-3 Ozark Conference). The JV (24-6-4 overall) and Freshmen (20-6-1) teams both lost in two sets.
Full stats:
Aces: Saylor Helton 3, Addy Collins 2
Kills: Ciaria Keeney 15, Rilee Jackson 10, Kaidynce Buttram 10
Assists: Morgan Durbin 40
Kills Blocks: Raylee Quick, Ciaria Keeney, Kaidynce Buttram, Rilee Jackson 1
Digs: Saylor Helton 32, Addy Collins 28, Morgan Durbin 22, Sadie Douglas 16
Softball season ends with loss to Republic
The Lebanon High School softball team concluded their season on Thursday night with an 8-1 loss to the Republic Tigers in the MSHSAA District Quarterfinals.
Lebanon went 13-19 during the 2023 campaign.
The Lady Tigers used four runs in the first five innings, and four runs in the sixth inning to clinch a semifinal appearance.
Rylinn Sexton drove in Kameron Compton with two outs, making the score 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning.
However, Republic used 11 hits to their advantage with RBIs from Addison Walker, Annabelle Gerhardt, Gracie Woods, and a two-run homer from Sammi Watson in the sixth inning.
Lebanon will say goodbye to seniors McKinley Rodden, Kamryn Luthy, Brooklyn O’Cain, Mia Gladden, and Compton.
