Kennett's Mandy Newman bumps the ball during the second set of Thursday's volleyball game against Delta C-7 at Kennett. [Click to enlarge]

After a slow start Thursday, it didn't take long for the Kennett Lady Indians to put the memory of Tuesday's season-opening loss to Dexter behind them.

The Lady Indians overcame a slow start in the first set and got strong play from several players to defeat the Delta C-7 Chargers, 25-18, 25-16 to improve to 1-1 on the season.

"All the girls did well tonight," Kennett coach Casey Bunting said. "I think they all played to their potential. They were comfortable. I think they had their first-game jitters out of the way and they were really beginning to show the capability that they have this year."

One key player Thursday was Leanna Siebenhuener, who served the Lady Indians to nine straight points in the second set, turning a 12-10 deficit into a 19-12 lead.

"She is such a strong girl," Bunting said. "She can place the ball anytime she serves it. She puts it where she wants it. I think I would pair her up against (Haylee Finch) from Dexter anytime."

Also stepping up was Christina Daily, who made several key plays at crucial times Thursday.

Her ace in the first set gave Kennett its first lead of the game (10-9), while her block in the second set evened the score at 12-12 and seemed to give the Tribe momentum.

"We can count on Daily anytime," Bunting said. "She sees the court. She knows where holes are. She can hit them. She can tip them in there when she's setting. She knows where to push it. She spreads the court out well for us. She's just a key ballplayer."

Delta C-7 led 13-11 in the first set when the Lady Indians went on an 8-2 run, capped by a Daily block, to take control.

"We were slow to get started, but once we got rolling and got comfortable with ourselves, we really began to play to our potential," Bunting said. "I was real pleased with the team tonight. We had a couple of girls that stepped up that shown a little bit tonight.

In the second set, Kennett raced out to a 5-0 lead and made it 8-3 on Siebenhuener's kill, one of 10 on the night for the junior.

However, the Chargers rallied, taking a 12-10 lead behind Leigha Blankenship's serving. However, it would be Delta's last lead of the night.

"Kennett has an awesome team," Delta C-7 coach Stacy Whitfield said. "They did a great job. I'm very proud of my girls. Everybody knows the reputation of Kennett as a volleyball team, and we're a very small school, but I think we gave them a run for their money tonight."

LeighErin Waddell closed out the game for the Lady Indians, getting kills on two of the Tribe's final three points to seal the win.

"LeighErin Waddell, she was key for us in the second set," Bunting said. "She had several good kills and she was right on with her sets and her serves as well."

Waddell led the way with 12 kills, while Kelly Carter added nine, Daily eight and Brittney Lancaster seven.

The Lady Indians return to the court Tuesday when they travel to South Pemiscot for the Bootheel Conference opener for both teams.

"It feels real good," Daily said of Thursday's win. "I just hope we can keep up the wins. ... Our team worked really good tonight together. I hope we can keep it up."