Saxony Lutheran volleyball team downs Woodland in Class 2 District 2 semifinal

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Calm and composed, third-seeded Saxony Lutheran never backed down from Woodland on Monday night.

The second-seeded Cardinals entered the game with a pair of wins over the Crusaders earlier in the year, but none of that mattered to Saxony, which cruised to a 25-18, 25-19 victory in a Class 2 District 2 volleyball semifinal at Bloomfield High School.

Saxony Lutheran's Jordan Hecht taps a ball over the net during a Class 2 District 2 semifinal against Woodland on Monday, October 19, 2015, at Bloomfield High School. (John Paul Halford)

"I'm super proud of our team effort," Crusaders coach Julie Brandmeyer said. "That's something that we've done a good job of all year, keeping that composure and staying steady. We don't get real high. We don't get real low, which is good in big games because we're going to keep playing hard.

"Whether we're up by five points or down by five points, our intensity level has been the same all season long, so I'm really proud of their effort tonight because that composure did help us. I felt like we kept control of the game."

A kill by Jordan Hecht gave Saxony (19-12-4) a 3-2 lead in the first set, and the Crusaders never trailed for the remainder of the set.

"We set the tone early with our defense, and then we came out swinging," Brandmeyer said. "That's something that we haven't seen all year long from our girls."

Saxony used a 7-1 run to build a 13-5 lead before a 7-4 burst extended the Crusaders' lead to 20-9.

A kill by Hannah Scott drew Woodland (19-8-2) within five points at 22-17, but Ashley Fritsche had a pair of kills to secure Saxony's final two points.

Brandmeyer was pleased with Fritsche's effort offensively but also complimented her middle hitter's defense.

"She's just a talented athlete altogether," Brandmeyer said about Fritsche, who finished with eight kills and six digs. "She makes some of the plays that others can't. She just makes it happen. She just loves to compete. She's a competitor, an athlete.

"If it's a tight ballgame, she's going to make it happen." We're super proud of her effort. Defensively, she's very good for us. We even played with the idea of using her as a libero just because her defense is so strong."

Saxony Lutheran's Logan Franke lunges for a ball as teammate Claire Petzoldt looks on during a Class 2 District 1 semifinal against Woodland on Monday, October 19, 2015, at Bloomfield High School. (John Paul Halford)

The Crusaders took the lead for good at 2-1 in the second set on a kill by Allie Sprink, but the Cardinals never trailed by more than six points. Woodland cut its deficit to 21-17 before Fritsche provided a kill to conclude a 4-2 run and secure the win for Saxony.

Brianna Mueller had 14 assists and six digs for the Crusaders, and Brandmeyer liked the way her setters were able to establish a fluid offense.

"We talked about a balanced attack all year long and spreading out our offense and changing the flow, reversing the play," Brandmeyer said. "... It helps break up their blocking scheme and create opportunities.

"We try to run as many routes as we can and as many plays as we can to try and throw off their defense, and it works. We're not the strongest team offensively, but we get the job done and a balanced attack can help that."

Sprink led the way for Saxony with nine kills and eight digs while Hecht also contributed nine kills to go along with 10 assists and seven digs. Claire Petzoldt added nine digs for the Crusaders, who will take on top-seeded Bloomfield in the district title match for the second straight year.

The Wildcats, who edged fourth-seeded Puxico 25-22, 25-19 in the other semifinal, defeated Saxony in three sets last season before marching all the way to the Class 2 final four.

"Bloomfield's a great program," Brandmeyer said. "I know it's going to be a tough matchup. It's going to be a good match tomorrow, a good night of volleyball all across Southeast Missouri. We're excited for it."

Saxony Lutheran 25 25, Scott City 11 10

Woodland's Chelsea Cureton hits a ball during a Class 2 District 2 semifinal against Woodland on Monday, October 19, 2015, at Bloomfield High School. (John Paul Halford)

Hecht had five kills, eight assists and five aces to lead the Crusaders to a quarterfinal victory over the sixth-seeded Rams in straight sets.

Sprink finished with eight kills and six digs for Saxony, which upped its record to 18-12-4 with the win. Mueller contributed eight assists for the Crusaders while Petzoldt added four aces.

Scott City finished its season with a 6-25-3 mark and was led by a pair of kills from Bailee Lathum. Chloe Clayton added eight digs and an ace for the Rams.

Woodland 25 25, Charleston 14 13

Krista Rhodes had eight kills and four digs to lead the Cardinals past the seventh-seeded Bluejays in a quarterfinal.

Chelsea Cureton added 21 digs and three aces for Woodland, which improved to 19-7-2 with the win. Madison Cover contributed four assists and four digs for the Cardinals while Anna Deck added five aces and four digs. Emma Rinacke added two kills, one ace and three assists; Kandyce Mifflin had one ace and four digs; and Whitney Lincoln finished with two kills and six assists for Woodland.

Charleston ends its season with a 1-26-2 record.