Getting past Duchesne’s Lady Pioneers last Thursday night in four sets during Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 2 Sectional volleyball action in St. Charles, Tess Schannuth’s Hermann Lady Bearcat volleyball team earned the right to host Saturday’s quarterfinal match against Fatima’s Lady Comets inside the friendly confines of Hermann High School’s (HHS) gym with a spot in the MSHSAA Class 2 volleyball final four on the line.

Taking the first two sets 25-20 and 25-16, Hermann put themselves in position for their third three-set sweep of the postseason after sweeping their way through the MSHSAA Class 2, District 6 Tournament on their home court.

Fatima forced a fourth set taking game three 26-24.

In the decisive fourth set, Hermann led 20-19 before an Ashlyn Hughes kill sent freshman Brynlee Ash behind the serving line with a 21-19 lead.

Two points later, Ash gave the Lady Bearcats a 23-19 lead forcing Fatima to use the first of the allotted two timeouts per set.

Another Hughes kill eventually led to the match-clinching kill by freshman Kalli Landolt sending Hermann to their 10th straight MSHSAA Volleyball Championships after a four-set victory over Fatima 25-20, 25-16, 24-26 and 25-20.

“It feels great to end my volleyball career like this going back to state,” Hughes said. “Duchesne and Fatima both gave us a tough time but we were able to get the job done in both matches.”

Falling behind 8-1 early in game one against Fatima, Hermann simply clawed and scratched their way back into the set behind a Kealie Lane service run of seven consecutive points putting the Lady Bearcats back in front 15-14.

“It’s expected of us to go every year, but this year we had to work so hard for it,” Lane said. “We gave everything we had and I’m so proud of my teammates for helping us get to go back to state.”

Trailing 20-18 late in game one, A block from Hughes sent Ash to serving duty only for her to serve the next six points giving the Lady Bearcats game one of the match.

Behind four kills apiece from Jillian Fredrick and Landolt, Hermann was able to jump on top in game two and stay there before taking it 25-16.

Down 18-13 in game three, Hermann fought back to take a 24-23 lead before a pair of errors allowed Fatima to extend the match to a fourth set.

Able to overcome a myriad of errors in game four, the Lady Bearcats were able to keep their season alive on their home court.

“Fatima did a lot of really good things and played really hard making us earn this win,” Schannuth said. “I’m just happy we were able to play hard back.”

Last Thursday at Duchesne High School in St. Charles during MSHSAA Class 2 Sectional volleyball action, Hermann split the first two sets against Duchesne before going on to take the next two and the match 25-22, 21-25, 25-22 and 25-19.

In that match, Fredrick led Hermann with four aces to go along with three from Hughes.

Also serving up an ace each were Lane, Landolt and Ash.

Hughes paced the Lady Bearcats with 15 kills at Duchesne to go along with 10 from Fredrick.

Adding to her 15 kills, Hughes also had five blocks against the Lady Pioneers while Jaelee Kahler and Ash each dished out 17 assists.

Lane led Hermann with 22 digs followed by six from Jana Limberopolous.

Hermann will continue their quest for a sweet 16th state championship today (Wednesday) at the St. Joseph Civic Arena taking on East Buchanan in the second of two state semifinal matches at 2 p.m.

St. Vincent and New Covenant Academy will play the first semifinal at noon.

A Hermann victory today would put them in the state championship match tomorrow (Thursday) at 4 p.m., while a loss would send them to the Class 2 third-place match at 2 p.m., tomorrow.

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