JACKSON, Mo. -- The effort was there, the execution was there, but an upset victory over a rival proved just out of reach for Poplar Bluff.
For the second time in a week, the Mules took Jackson to three sets and fell just short of a win. The top-seeded Indians battled back to win a three-set thriller (12-25, 25-20, 25-23) over fourth-seeded Poplar Bluff in a MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 semifinal Tuesday at Jackson.
It was Jackson's fourth win over Poplar Bluff this season, with three of those wins going three sets, as the Indians advanced to their second consecutive district championship game. Second-seeded Farmington ultimately won the district title 25-23, 25-17.
"My girls played good. They played hard," Mules coach Amanda Lance said.
"They played good, so I'm proud of them. When it gets that intense in districts, in the last couple points, it can fall any way."
Poplar Bluff dominated the opening set behind Kiley Bess' serve and went ahead 14-5 before cruising to a 25-12 win.
Bess finished with 10 kills and nine digs.
Last week in a SEMO Conference Tournament semifinal, Poplar Bluff won the first set but ultimately fell in three to Jackson.
Jackson followed that same path Tuesday. In the second set, the Indians took the lead for good thanks to a 3-0 run, going up 17-14.
Bluff never got closer than two points the rest of the way.
The third set was a dogfight from the opening point. There were nine lead changes and no team led by more than three points.
"We controlled first set," Lance said. "Second set, we were right there and kind of fell off in the end. Third set, it was a battle from point one to point 23."
The Mules held a 21-18 lead late in the third set, and Jackson took a timeout. Out of that break, the Indians went on a 3-0 run to tie the score.
The teams then traded points until 23-all. Jackson's Olivia Ward produced a kill to give the Indians match point, and then the outside hitter sealed the win with another hard hit.
The Mules finished the season with a 19-14 record.
"They're one of the best teams I've ever had talent-wise, and tonight, they showed it," Lance said. "They worked hard. They did awesome."
The Mules lose one senior from this year's team: outsider hitter Sophie Rowland.
"This is best year of volleyball I've had," Rowland said. "Not me, but the team I'm with. It's been so enjoyable and I'm not disappointed with how we went out. My teammates busted their tails for me, and that's all I can ask for."
During Rowland's four years on varsity, the Mules have advanced to four district semifinals and made one district championship appearance.
She closed out her high school career with eight kills, five digs and two assists.
Khelie Spence had a team-high 14 kills, Ady Kingree produced 25 assists and Haley Slaughter led the defense with 10 digs.
"I'm glad we went out the way we went out," Rowland said. "I'm upset that we lost of course, but I'm not upset in how we played. I'm proud of all of them. They busted their tails for me."