CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – (WATCH) Carl Junction tops Neosho 53-28 Monday night for their 4th straight win.
The Bulldogs are now 15-5 on the season, ranked #6 in the state in Class 5.
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PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) Carthage beats #5 Carl Junction 53-45 Friday night to move on to the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament championship in Pittsburg.
The Tigers will face Kickapoo in the tournament championship Saturday.
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PITTSBURG, Ks. – Lexi Miller, a 2018 Carl Junction graduate, is returning to the four-state area to finish her college volleyball career.
“I entered the transfer portal and then within about three days I got a phone call asking, “So, do you want to be a Gorilla?” and I said, “Yeah, definitely. No question about it,” Miller says. “I was really excited because I get to come back home. I’m from CJ, I played for CJ and now I am able to represent this area by playing at the college level here. It’s really nice to show the little girls that playing volleyball in college is possible.”
At Carl Junction, Miller was a 3X first-team all-conference performer, a 2X all-district performer and earned all-state recognition for the 2017 season.
She moved on to play four years of division one volleyball at the University of Central Arkansas.
“I hope to bring the experience of playing some other big teams,” Miller says. “There’s so many amazing teams in the MIAA. Coming from division one to division two, it’s that same high intensity and high energy.”
Miller is using her last year of eligibility to play for PSU while working towards her masters.
“I felt like I really wasn’t done with volleyball. I wanted to get that last COVID year,” Miller says. “Pitt State puts me close to home, so more family can come watch me and my club girls can come watch me too. My cousin plays for Central Missouri so having one last year of family rivalry will be really nice.”
Due to her local ties, she is already acquainted with her new team.
“I haven’t met the whole team yet, but I know most of them from being around here and playing on other teams,” Miller says. “I know the coaches, Jen Gomez and Miranda Rodriguez, from club. It feels really good knowing who I’m going to go play for.”
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CARL JUNCTION, M0. – The Carl Junction Bulldogs are gearing up for what they hope is yet another dominant season.
“There’s a lot of pressure and stigma around our team because of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the past,” says junior Hali Shorter. “Being a part of a couple of those teams that have been super successful makes us want to work harder every day. Hopefully we rise to the occasion and do our best.”
Carl Junction has won six straight district championships. Last year, they finished the season 18-9.
“Our kids understand how to play the game,” says head coach Brad Shorter. “When it gets tight and the pressure mounts up, our girls do a great job with that. They handle that very well.”
The Bulldogs are returning four starters from last years district championship team.
“It helps a lot with trusting each other on the court,” says senior Ellie Lawson. “The energy we have together on the court has an impact on how we play.”
“We already have that leadership, so to be able to show the new girls what our team is about helps us so much,” Hali Shorter says.
Destiny Buerge returns for her junior season. Buerge led the Bulldogs last season, averaging about 25 points per game.
“Being able to to score in high amounts, but at the same time get others involved so they can score in high amounts, will be a big key for her,” Brad Shorter says.
“I just hope that I can just make my teammates better and push them to be the best and play my game and not stress about anything,” Buerge says.
The Bulldogs also get Kylie Scott back. Scott missed part of last season due to an injury.
“She can average a double double. She can rebound the ball very well, she can score well,” Shorter says. “Obviously, her size at 6’1 and her athleticism gives her an advantage over a lot of kids. She’s a match up nightmare for some teams. She brings so much energy, so much discipline inside the paint. She can also shoot it well from outside, so were excited to see what she can do.”
Carl Junction kicks off their season hosting the CJ Classic, beginning on November 29th.
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WATCH: After winning the first two sets, CJ battles back to tie the match at two sets a piece. The Cardinals win a decisive fifth set to take home the district championship. Webb City will face the winner of Tuesday’s Willard/Logan-Rogersville match in the sectional round of the state tournament.
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