Volleyball teams dominate Friday night

Highlights for these games are in the Saturday 8th grade volleyball recap

It took less than half an hour for both St. Mary's volleyball teams to dispose of their opponents tonight as the 5th/6th graders and 7th/8th graders won their matches in straight sets.

The 7th/8th graders clinched a playoff spot with their 25-5, 25-15 win. They are now (5-2) and depending on their game tomorrow morning, they can clinch as high as a second seed and as low as a fourth seed.

In tonight's contest, the other team clearly was not interested in playing, and it was evident from the start. That led to a 25-5 first set thrashing that saw the girls barely break a sweat.

The second set was a little more competitive early on until the 7th/8th graders pull away for the win.

Jocelyn had some great overhand serves, and the rest of the team followed suit.

Cynthia was at her best returning some really difficult serves, getting the ball up in the air, so her teammates could get it over the net.

The five wins in the regular season is the most by a St. Mary's volleyball team in modern history.

The 5th/6th grade girls finished their season at .500 with a 25-15, 25-11 straight set victory, finishing one game behind the final playoff spot.

At (4-4), they needed one more win to tie for the last spot, but unfortunately they lost to all four of the playoff teams.

With a team half of 5th graders, this team made a lot of progress in a few months.

Exhibit "A" was Ivy who served several balls over to win the first set for the girls, and then she followed it up by getting the girls out to an early lead in the second set. Ivy was by far the most improved volleyball player on the team.

The girls even did a bump, set and spike in the second set, when a ball was set up nicely to Fiona, who spiked it over for a point. In another nice rally, Kaela was able to bump the ball over her head, over the net, and then onto the floor.

Edwena, Victoria and Fiona all played last year and won only twice. The year before that, they won only once. This year, four times.

So as the years go on, these girls multiply their victories. So all they have to do next year is go undefeated and win eight games in the regular season.

Highlights will be packed with tomorrow's games. Check back tomorrow night for more.