St. Vincent volleyball squad begins final four quest today

The St. Vincent volleyball team will make its first appearance at the Class 1 final four in seven years at the Show Me Center today.

The Indians finished second in state in 2007 after falling to Stockton in straight sets.

St. Vincent, under first-year coach Cindy Cissell, will be joined by New Haven, Santa Fe and two-time defending champion Winona this time around.

Cissell said she feels like her team is flying somewhat under the radar after a turnaround season.

"When you get to this point, everyone is going to be good, but we think we're a little more experienced in high-pressure games," Cissell said. "They've obviously been through a lot this season, so I don't know that nerves will have a whole lot of effect on them. The nerves are going to be there, but at this point they know how to deal with them."

St. Vincent defeated top-seeded Leopold in three sets of the Class 1 District 3 championship less than two weeks ago. After dropping the first set, the Indians rallied to take the both second and third sets by scores of 26-24.

The Indians went on to defeat Clarkton in the sectional in straight sets and easily beat favored Bernie in the quarterfinal round to advance to the final four.

"I have been waiting since the fifth grade for this," St. Vincent senior Gabrielle Schemel said. "This is a once in a lifetime chance. We're more than a team; we're a family with a great leader in coach Cissell. She has prepared us for this and we know what we need to do to win."

The tournament format consists of a round robin to determine finalists in the championship and third place games. Each team will play the other three teams twice for a total of six sets in the opening round. If the teams split sets, a one-set playoff will determine a winner.

The Indians will play New Haven (31-5) at 9 a.m. today in its opening pool play game, followed by Winona at 11 a.m. and Santa Fe (27-2-1) at 7 p.m.

The Class 1 third-place game will be played at noon Saturday, while the championship will be played at 6 p.m.

Cissell said it doesn't matter what team they're playing as long as they're focused and ready to play.

"We're just happy to be at this point," Cissell said. "Win, lose or draw we want to have fun. Would a championship be nice? Of course it would, but we know we're the underdog, so we're going to play like a scrappy underdog should."

Sisters Katie and Jackie Verseman are forces up front for the Indians, but Cissell said it will take a team effort to be successful.

"You saw it in the district game and you saw it at sectionals and quarters," Cissell said about her team playing well together. "I honestly couldn't pick one MVP for this team because everyone comes up big when they have to. Delia Lowman had some great little tips and kills last weekend that snuck up on some people. That just shows you that our team is a committee. It's not just get the ball to one player; everyone is involved. If that's not an advantage I'm not sure what is."

St. Vincent will face a tough test when it plays Winona in its second match of the day. The Wildcats boast one of the best records as well as one of the best players in the state.

Winona features all-state junior Rachel Holthaus, who has 492 kills on the season -- over half of the Wildcats' 819 total kills -- and is quickly closing in on the state record of 553 which was set by Jamie Roszell of East Newton County in 1999.

Cissell said she's not worried by the Wildcats or their talented outside hitter. Instead, the Indians are focused on enjoying the moment and seizing it.

"I'm expecting some very good quality volleyball," Cissell said. "I'm not going to be surprised when they come out swinging, but we'll be swinging right back at them."

St. Vincent (25-11-1) underwent a quick rebuild after a dismal 14-16-1 finish to the 2013 season. Katie Verseman had spent two straight losing seasons before Cisselll implemented a new style of play, which she says led to the Indians turnaround this season.

"I think she imprinted the attitude that we can never let up and never die," the St. Vincent junior and middle hitter said about Cissell. "It has a lot to do with mentality and just having the mindset of not letting teams run over us -- even if we are the underdog."

Cisselll said the Indians' improbable run could reach the ultimate goal -- a state title -- if the team maintains focus.

"You just have to talk to them and preach to them," Cissell said. "I know they're excited and I know they're nervous and it's just about staying focused on your task at hand. They'll have to find some way to do that all week and that morning."