C1 VB State Finals: Advance looks every bit the MSHSAA power in semi rout

The Advance High School volleyball program is going for its fifth MSHSAA Class 1 Volleyball state championship in the past six seasons this weekend, and in Friday’s semifinal win over Galena, the Hornets looked every bit of the part of a Missouri powerhouse that they are.

The Hornets (34-3-3) swept the Bears 25-13, 25-14, 25-16 in a match that really was never that close.

“I think everybody contributed,” veteran Hornet coach Erin Hoffman said following the win. “We mixed up our hitting and all of our hitters were doing their job.”

Advance opened each of the three sets on a strong note and never trailed in the match.

In the opening set, the Hornets got off to a 3-0 lead, before stretching it to leads of 7-2 and 9-3.

Advance ran off six consecutive service points to take a 10-6 lead and build it into a 16-6 margin, and then junior Addi Carlton later ran off four consecutive service points to claim a 20-7 lead.

“I feel like all of our players were contributing the whole game,” Hoffman continued.

In the second set, Carlton opened that set with five consecutive service points, but the Bears (35-2-1) battled back to pull to within 7-6. However, Hornet senior Lexi Hoffman, who had a statistical fantasy-type game, served up six straight points for a 12-6 margin and her team was never threatened again, as it led 22-12 before sealing the set.

“I wouldn’t say we were overconfident,” Hoffman said. “I think that it has helped that they were in this position last year.”

Advance closed the night by jumping out to a 3-0 margin in the final set, and led 7-1, 9-4, and 15-5 after (you guessed it) six straight service points from Carlton.

The Hornets led 24-12 and Hoffman had subbed out Carlton, among others, late in that set. However, Galena ran off four consecutive points, and Hoffman had seen enough.

Carlton came off the bench and finished the match with a kill.

“(Our players) Know that being all stressed out about (this) isn’t going to change anything,” Hoffman said. “So, why not enjoy the experience.”

Carlton notched seven kills, three assists, and 11 digs while Hoffman, who is the lone child of the coach, was statistically tremendous.

The 6-foot-1 middle hitter totaled 18 kills, 14 assists, and 10 digs.

Advance sophomores Emma Eilers (19 digs) and Kyndall Hitt (19 assists) also contributed, as did sophomore Broga Wright-Hawkins, who had 16 digs from her libero position.

Carlton had 19 total attacks while Eilers had 17, freshman Olivia Kennedy had eight to go with seven digs, senior Kaylee Cline had 20 attacks and four kills with five digs, senior Meg Garner had four kills, and senior Abigail Kennedy pounded out 13 attacks.

“This is just icing on the cake,” Hoffman said of advancing this far in the postseason,” so just enjoy the experience.”

The Hornets will seek to defend their Class 1 state title today at 4 p.m. against South Iron.

The Panthers (22-9-4) got past Northwest (Hughesville) 16-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-21 in the other semifinal match.

Interestingly enough, South Iron and Advance played earlier this season to a 1-1 tie in the Dig For Life Tournament in Cape Girardeau.

“As far as scouting goes,” Hoffman said, “we talk about how the other teams will scout us. What are they saying about how they can beat us? Then, we’ll work on that stuff.”

The Hornets won Class 1 state titles in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Hoffman is vying for her sixth state championship after winning the 2003 Class 1 title with Bell City.