Staff photo by Mike Buhler Samantha Risner holds up the Bootheel Conference Tournament championship trophy as she and her Kennett Lady Indians volleyball teammates celebrate winning the tourney title against Senath-Hornersville on Thursday night at Steele. [Click to enlarge]

STEELE, Mo. -- Three times in the last four years, the Kennett Lady Indians volleyball team had entered the Bootheel Conference Tournament finals as the favorite, only to fall in defeat.

Not this year.

The Lady Tribe overcame a sluggish start to live up to its No. 1 seed and take a 17-25, 25-16, 25-10 over the Senath-Hornersville Lady Lions here Thursday night.

"It feels good," Kennett coach Laura Ort said. "It's rewarding to work hard all year and be able to come up with something at the end and feel the success of winning a tournament."

Kennett junior Jody Vancil echoed her coach's sentiments.

"We have practiced hard, played our best, and have worked toward this title for the entire season," said Vancil. "It feels great to finally win a conference tournament title -- especially since it was against our rival team -- after coming up just short for the past two years. I think we have worked very hard and I look forward to playing in districts next week."

The Lady Tribe (22-2-1) dropped the first set and trailed midway through the second set before taking control.

"I think we just kind of settled down a little bit." Ort said. "When we came out it was like we were just too nervous and too focused, and we forgot to just go out there and have fun."

After taking the second set to force a deciding third game, Kennett rolled, dominating from the opening serve to bring home the title.

The Lady Indians got a big game from senior Brea Riddle, who finished with seven kills, six blocks, four assists and three aces.

"She did step up down the stretch," said Ort. "She had six solo blocks tonight and that's an unbelievable number for me. She's a tough, tough competitor. She's very consistent and she's a great leader for us."

Also stepping up for Kennett was Ciara Dewrock, who added five aces, five kills, three blocks and 12 digs, while Taylor Wake added four aces, a pair of kills and 10 digs.

Megan Lack added four aces and two kills, while Chrisie Burrow dished off a team high nine assists, Vancil added eight digs and a pair of aces and Mallory Brown finished with eight digs.

The Lady Indians are off until Monday, when they travel to Cape Girardeau to take on Doniphan in the first round of the Class 3, District 1 Tournament.

Notes: The Lady Tribe did not fare as well in the junior varsity title game, dropping a 25-11, 25-18 decision to Senath-Hornersville. The Lady Lions won the jayvee title for the second time in three years, winning another crown in 2006 by again defeating Kennett. … The Lady Indians are the No. 3 seed in the District 1 Tournament and will take on No. 2 seed and tourney host Notre Dame on Tuesday in the semifinals if they win against Doniphan. Dexter is the No. 1 seed and is one of two schools to defeat Kennett this season, winning a three-set victory in the season opener. … Senath-Hornersville is the top seed at the Class 2, District 1 Tournament, which opens Monday at Malden, with the finals scheduled for Tuesday.