Prep volleyball: Final Four again for Valle
One reason for Valle Catholic’s run of success is the dazzling serving of Rachel Blum (2). (PHOTO BY ERIC VICCARO/Herald staff)
By ERIC VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Those shampooing instructions also apply to the Valle Catholic High School volleyball team, who will be returning to the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau for the Missouri State High School Activities Association Tournament.
In a somewhat anti-climactic match, Valle Catholic swept Notre Dame St. Louis, 25-11, 25-13, 25-12 in the Class 3 quarterfinals in front of a raucous home crowd Saturday afternoon.
This will mark the Warriors’ 11th state tournament appearance since it began in 1975 — meaning Valle Catholic has reached the pinnacle 23.9 percent of the time.
“It’s pretty impressive,” said Valle Catholic head coach Nancy Fischer when given that percentage.
Fischer said qualifying for the Final Four again is special, even moreso since the Warriors are essentially playing in Class 3.
Valle Catholic (31-4-3) will play Blair Oaks (33-4) at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Show-Me Center. Strafford (29-3-3) squares off with Notre Dame de Sion (17-14) in the other semifinal.
The Warriors and Falcons have three common opponents this season, Potosi, Class 5 state tourney representative
Columbia Rock Bridge and Jefferson City Helias (another Class 5 school). The results have been comparable.
“I think we both have fared equally well,” Fischer said. “I think they are a talented team, and it will be anybody’s game.”
Fischer said Blair Oaks has a strong back row which also will help make for a competitive match.
Valle Catholic lately has won matches with devastating double blocks and succinct serving — with both dooming Notre Dame St. Louis.
The Rebels also had trouble with a cozy confines of Valle’s gymnasium.
The Warriors served up 19 aces, with Ade Weiler leading the way (15 points, eight aces). Rachel Blum added 17 points and five aces. Sam Loida posted three aces and Mia Weiler, Makayla Joggerst and Riley Brown one ace each.
Ella Bertram, Hailey Weibrecht and Macy Wolk patrolled the net. Bertram had a team-best 10 kills and Wolk added eight.
Weibrecht chipped in with six kills and one solo ace block.
Loida also distributed 25 assists, and Blum made good on 13 service receptions to go with seven digs. Joggerst added six with Ade Weiler and Bertram five apiece.
(Editor’s Note: For the complete story and statistics, subscribe to either the print or electronic editions of the Ste. Genevieve Herald. Subscribe: 1-573-883-2222.)
