CARTERVILLE — The Fairfield Lady Mules are nipping at the heels of Centralia for the top spot in our Section618.com Deep South Volleyball Coaches’ Poll. Monday night the Lady Mules improved to 6-0 with a sweep of Carterville on the road 25-23, 25-18.

This was a quality match that featured numerous lengthy rallies. The first game was back and forth with neither team able to seize control. Carterville led 18-15, only to watch Fairfield score five of the next six points to lead 20-19. The Lions answered by scoring four of the next five to build a 23-21 advantage. The Lady Mules scored the final four points, taking the opener on a stuff block by freshman standout Emersyn Robbins and senior Leah Bowers.

Carterville jumped out to an early lead in the game two, but couldn’t hold it. The game was tied 14-14 when Fairfield took control, scoring 11 of the final 15 points. Sophomore Kaylee Barger’s kill closed out the Lady Mules’ victory.

It’s been a tough start new Carterville head coach Nathan Emrick. The loss drops the Lions to 0-3 on the season, with two of those three losses (Massac County, Fairfield) coming to top five teams in the Coaches’ Poll. Marion is the other team to beat Carterville. The Lady Wildcats are just outside the top ten.

Both teams return to conference play Tuesday. Fairfield will host Carmi-White County in a Black Diamond-East scrum, while the Lions will host Du Quoin in SIRR Mississippi action.