Sacred Heart Volleyball Lady Grems District 13 Champs

The Sacred Heart Lady Gremlins faced Sweet Springs in the semifinal match of the Class 1, District 13 Tournament at Alma Wednesday night.

The Gremlins swept the Greyhounds in two sets, winning 25-16 and 25-13. The Gremlins then faced Santa Fe Chiefs in the final round of the district tournament.

In the first set, the Gremlins got an early lead, but after a timeout from Sante Fe, the chiefs went on a run bringing the game close. The Chiefs managed to close the gap, but the Gremlins did not give up the lead and ended up winning the first set, 25-21.

The second set of the Championship game started just like the first, but with the Chiefs taking an early lead. The Gremlins were down but they slowly managed to close the scoring gap by limiting Santa Fe's runs late in the second set. The Gremlins were finally able to tie the set at 16-16 and then took the lead.

After the Gremlins took the lead, each team went point for point with the Chiefs tying the game at 19-19. A kill from Zoe Volcko, assisted by Kylie Beykirch allow the gremlins to take the game to 23-20 and Sante Fe's big hitter Carrigan Smith answered back with a kill followed by an Ace from the Chiefs.

With the game being 22-23, the game could go either way. The Chiefs had another attack from Smith, where Kylie Beykirch made a big dig that allowed Madison McClain to set Zoe Volcko for the kill. The gremlins were serving for game point at 24-22.

The Sante Fe Chiefs, being the strong team that they are, answered back with another kill from Smith and then a kill block from Sante Fe, the game was now tied 24-24. Just as the Chiefs began their run, Madison McClain found a hole in the Chiefs defense and gave the Gremlins the lead once again. The Chiefs tied the set once again with a tip.

The Gremlins and Chiefs went point for point up until the final point. The gremlins were serving for game point at 27-26 where Madison McClain finished off the final set with an attack and a block the brought the gremlins to Victory over the Sante Fe Chiefs with the final score 28-26.

Both Santa Fe and Sacred Heart played very hard in this Championship game and fought for every single point. The Lady Gremlins are the District 13 Champions and will host the Sectional and Quarterfinal games Saturday, Oct. 27. Sacred Heart (21-20-1) plays Lutheran KC (27-5-2).

Madison McClain finished the match with 11 kills, 5 digs, 2 blocks and 6 assists. Zoe Volcko had 12 kills, 2 aces, 9 digs and 3 blocks. Kylie Beykirch had 14 assists and 4 digs. Grace Goodwin had 9 digs.