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The Lady Knights opened bracket play at Springfield Kickapoo with a three-game win over top seed Kickapoo, 25-27, 25-18, 25-20.
And in pool play, Borgia beat Waynesville (25-15, 25-9) and Lee's Summit (26-24, 25-17) and split with Republic (13-25, 25-18) and Lebanon (21-25, 25-15).
Borgia tied Republic for the best record in the pool at Hillcrest, but was seeded second from the pool in bracket play due to point differential.
Nieder said the team found its rhythm after the loss in the first game to Kickapoo in bracket play.
"Finally we started playing closer to our team capability," Nieder said. "Our setters started running more play options better utilizing our offensive strengths. Both Katie Politte and Krissi Fitzpatrick really started turning it up offensively with some monstrous kills and aggressive serving. Defensive we all seemed to be clicking and everyone was doing their part with providing a total team effort."
This carried over to the Lafayette match.
"The timing was absolutely perfect going into the semifinals against a strong Lafayette team. I can hardly believe how well we performed in this game. Starting with our blockers, it seemed like we were virtually impenetrable. In fact I believe Katie Politte blocked the Lafayette attack three straight times in the final plays of the game to give up match point."
Everyone played well, Nieder said.
"Mary Engemann and Sarah Braun did a tremendous job running our offensive and adjusting to our new defense," said Nieder. "Katie Politte and Krissi Fitzpatrick provide us with a great offensive presence. Lauren Baumstark and Abby Graham blocked well and also gave us some strong offense. Allison Feldmann, Hillary Hausmann and Sara Mohesky had their best defensive match this year. Jodi Klott also provided us with some much needed extra offensive and defense presence to win this tournament. She played with great confidence and I was very proud of her for rising to the occasion."
Another key moment came in the first game against Lee's Summit in pool play.
"Like Republic they were very defensive sound and had a bigger front line of hitters and blockers," said Nieder. "We beat them in a very crucial first game, 26-24. I feel this was the turning point to the tournament. If we lose this game we are most likely playing in the Silver Division bracket."
Borgia's statistical leaders in each match were:
Webb City: Kills-Fitzpatrick 10, Politte 8; digs-Hausmann 12, Feldmann 8; total blocks-Politte 2, Hannah Miller 1.5, Graham 1.5 each; aces-Politte 3; and assists-Braun 15, Engemann 15.
Lafayette: Kills-Politte 8, Fitzpatrick 8; digs-Hausmann 16, Feldmann 9, Engemann 6; total blocks-Politte 3, Fitzpatrick 2; aces-Feldmann 3, Politte 3, Fitzpatrick 2; and assists-Engemann 13, Braun 11.
Kickapoo: Kills-Fitzpatrick 14, Politte 12, Klott 9, Baumstark 7; digs-Hausmann 25, Braun 14, Feldmann 10, Mohesky 10, Fitzpatrick 9, Engemann 8; total blocks-Politte 2, Miller 1.5; aces-Fitzpatrick 2, Politte 2; and assists-Engemann 25, Braun 22.
Lebanon: Kills-Fitzpatrick 11, Politte 8; digs-Hausmann 15, Mohesky 10, Engemann 10; total blocks-Politte 2, Graham 1; aces-Fitzpatrick 2, Feldmann 2; and assists-Braun 16, Engemann 15.
Lee's Summit: Kills-Politte 7, Fitzpatrick 6; digs-Hausmann 11, Mohesky 9, Fitzpatrick 7, Engemann 6, Braun 5; total blocks-Fitzpatrick 2.5, Politte 2.5, Miller 2; aces-Hausmann 1, Politte 1; and assists-Engemann 15, Braun 12. Republic: Kills-Fitzpatrick 10, Politte 6, Miller 5; digs-Mohesky 12, Braun 10, Hausmann 10, Engemann 7, Feldmann 7; total blocks-Politte 1.5; aces-Feldmann 1, Fitzpatrick 1, Politte 1; and assists-Engemann 14, Braun 11.
Waynesville: Kills-Politte 8, Fitzpatrick 6, Graham 6, Klott 4; digs-Hausmann 10, Braun 6; total blocks-Miller 1.5, Politte 1; aces-Braun 2, Feldmann 1, Fitzpatrick 1, Hausmann 1, Politte 1; and assists-Engemann 14, Braun 12.
On Monday, the Lady Knights lost at Nerinx Hall in Webster Groves, 25-21, 25-17.
