Mater Dei moves a win away from eighth state volleyball championship
The Mater Dei Knights remained on track for an eighth state championship Friday by defeating the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans 25-20, 23 -25, 25-22 in a Class 2A State Tournament semifinal at Redbird Arena in Normal.
Making its 23rd state tournament appearance and in search of its first state title since winning the Class 3A crown in 2011, the Knights (31-9) won the first game and led for much of the second before the Spartans (36-5) rallied late to tie tie the match.
The third and decisive third game was tight early. But a pair of kills by Riley Kleber and a service ace by Audrey Lampe sparked a four-point scoring run as the Knights took the lead at 11-7.
St. Joseph-Ogden rallied to tie the score at 21, but two more kills by Kleber put the Knights into their ninth state championship match. Mater Dei will take on Decatur St. Teresa in the championship game on Saturday at 1:55 p.m. St. Teresa defeated Rockford Lutheran 25-22, 29-27 in the other semifinal.
Tori Mohesky led Mater Dei with 14 kills while Kleber chipped in with nine. Setter Jessie Timmermann added 38 assists.
Mater Dei (31-9)
Coach: Chad Rakers (9th season, 274-71-4)
Classification Enrollment: 408
Nickname: Lady Knights
Colors: Columbia Blue/White/Navy
Conference: (independent)
Last year’s advancement: Lost to Althoff in Cl;ass 3A sectional final
State tournament history: This is Mater Dei’s 23rd trip to the state finals. The Knights have seven state titles
Players to watch: Jr. OPP Myah Helmkamp (137 kills, 19 blocks); Soph. MB: Riley Kleber (163 kills, 66 blocks); Soph. OH: Tori Mohesky (311 kills, 50 aces, 241 digs); Jr. S: Jessie Timmermann (131 kills, 55 blocks, 898 assists, 251 digs)
Decatur St. Teresa (35-5)
Coach Brad Dalton (12 years, 205-139)
Classification Enrollment: 398.475
Nickname: Bulldogs
Colors: Royal Blue/Orange
Conference: Central Illinois
Last season’s advancement :Defeated Grayville, 25-20, 25-15, in 1A Third Place Game
State tournament history: This is the Bulldogs fourth trip to the state finals
Players to watch: Jr. OH: Caleigh Craft (189 kills, 143 digs) Jr. Libero: Grace Busxton (44 aces, 75 assists, 398 digs); Sr. Setter: Lexi Hack (142 kills, 572 assists, 229 digs); Jr. MB: Cami Loo (392 assists, 163 digs); Sr. OH: Abby Robinson (219 kills, 31 blocks, 313 digs)
This story was originally published November 15, 2019 at 2:15 PM.
