Class 2 Semifinals and Championship Preview: A Clash of Titans

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The excitement builds as the Class 2 semifinals and championship match approach. With strong contenders like St. Vincent and Hermann vying for the title, here's a breakdown of the semifinal matchups and predictions for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 1: <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">St. Vincent Lady Indians (26-6-2)</mark> vs. New Covenant Academy Lady Warriors (27-4-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Vincent:</strong> Defeated Valle Catholic 25-19, 25-22, 26-24.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>New Covenant Academy (NCA):</strong> Beat Miller 25-23, 27-25, 20-25, 20-25, 15-8.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings or common opponents.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>St. Vincent:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225325' first='Kate' last='Rubel'] (2026):</strong> 6'1" - Outside - 386 kills, 403 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='225326' first='Brie' last='Rubel'] (2026):</strong> 5'10" - Setter - 581 digs, 860 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831247' first='Clara' last='Clifton'] (2026):</strong> 5'7" - Outside - 191 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='844601' first='Sophie' last='Verseman'] (2027):</strong> 5'11" - Middle - 75 blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810478' first='Alaina' last='Cates'] (2026):</strong> 6'0" - Middle - 210 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>NCA:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kiera Edwards (2029):</strong> 5'10" - Outside - 225 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Tina Voznyarska (2027):</strong> 6'0" - Middle - 73 blocks, 177 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Addy Mouery (2028):</strong> 5'8" - Opposite - 312 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Addison Cuquet (2026):</strong> 5'8" - Outside - 225 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Gabi Gaumer (2028):</strong> 6'2" - Middle - 44 blocks, 140 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Audrey Mouery (2026):</strong> 5'7" - Libero - 458 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> In this first semifinal, St. Vincent brings experience while NCA features youthful energy. St. Vincent is determined to overcome last year's semifinal loss and will leverage their experience against NCA, which hasn't faced a team of St. Vincent's caliber this season. I predict that St. Vincent will win in a 3-0 sweep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinal 2: <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Hermann Bearcats (18-13-2)</mark> vs. East Buchanan Bulldogs (26-10-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How They Got Here:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Hermann:</strong> Defeated Fatima 25-20, 25-16, 24-26, 25-20.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>East Buchanan:</strong> Beat Lafayette County 25-22, 27-25, 25-21.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head to Head:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No prior meetings or common opponents.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Hermann:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='702778' first='Ashlyn' last='Hughes'] (2026):</strong> 5'10" - Middle - 243 kills, 163 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jillian Frederick (2026):</strong> 5'10" - Outside - 220 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897273' first='Kalli' last='Landolt'] (2029):</strong> 5'10" - Middle - 140 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kealie Lane (2026):</strong> 5'6" - Libero - 327 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>East Buchanan:</strong><!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='811976' first='Brooklynn' last='Johnson'] (2027):</strong> 5'10" - Middle - 322 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826666' first='Kamryn' last='Werle'] (2027):</strong> 5'8" - Outside - 279 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kourtney Keling (2027):</strong> 5'8" - Middle - 273 kills</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Kaylynn Engnes (2026):</strong> 5'6" - Libero - 501 digs</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='720350' first='Kendyl' last='Edwards'] (2027):</strong> 5'5" - Setter - 585 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Hermann has a strong playoff pedigree and a tough schedule that has prepared them well. East Buchanan has surprised many by reaching the Final Four, but Hermann's experience will shine through. I predict Hermann sweeps East Buchanan to advance to the championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3rd Place Match: </strong>East Buchanan (26-11-3) vs<strong>. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">New Covenant Academy (27-5-3)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Both teams have young players stepping up, making this matchup more competitive than their semifinal sweeps. In the end, New Covenant Academy will edge out East Buchanan, securing a 3-1 victory for the third-place plaque.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Championship: </strong>Hermann Bearcats (19-13-2) vs<strong>. <mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">St. Vincent Lady Indians (27-6-2)</mark></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> St. Vincent won a thrilling match against Hermann for third place last year, and now they meet again in the championship. For Hermann to claim the title, they'll need more production from their pin hitters, while St. Vincent must contain Hermann's middle attack. This match will hinge on passing and defense. Given the stakes and their previous encounters, I predict St. Vincent will emerge victorious in another thrilling five-set battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->