Holding their own during the first two sets, the Santa Fe Chiefs again played better and better as the evening progressed while keeping their volleyball season alive by defeating Osceola, 3-1 in Class One Sectional action Thursday, Oct. 31 at Santa Fe.
The Chiefs beat the visiting Indians, 25-22, 22-25, 25-16 and 25-14 as they try to get back to the Final Four for the first time since 2021.
It was a match where Osceola held the upper hand throughout the early stages of the evening, rarely trailing in the first two sets. The Indians seemed to be in control, leading 21-14 during the opening set before things turned around in a hurry. Santa Fe suddenly went on an 11-1 run to win that set in come from behind fashion, 25-22. Abby Mueller had six consecutive serving points and Keastin Kitchen three to fuel the Chief rally.
In the next set, Osceola again led throughout, but never by very much before they came out on top, 25-22. The rest of the night belonged to Santa Fe as they steadily pulled away to post wins of 25-16 and 25-14.
It was the second time in three years that Santa Fe had ended Osceola’s season at the Sectional level as the Indians wrapped things up with a mark of 24-11-2. Santa Fe has now won nine of their last 11 outings, improving to 22-9 overall. To book their trip to Southeast Missouri’s Cape Girardeau next week for the state semifinals, they’ll have to travel to the northwest corner of the state Saturday afternoon and play at Rock Port. Pregame on KMMO-FM 102.9 begins at 12:50, with the game beginning at 1 p.m.
In other sectionals action last night, Tipton’s season came to a close in the Lead Belt, as the Cardinals were swept at Bismarck (8-25, 11-25, 16-25) in another Class One contest. Both our area teams in Class Two were also swept on the road, with St Paul Lutheran falling to Bishop LeBlond (20-25, 25-27, 11-25) in St Joseph while Stover was dropped by Licking (23-25, 21-25, 10-25). Meanwhile, Odessa needed all five sets to take care of Savannah (21-25, 25-19, 28-26, 20-25, 15-9) in a Class Three tilt. The Bulldogs’ reward is a MRVC West showdown against Pleasant Hill, after the Chicks swept Center (25-9, 25-14, 25-12) in Kansas City.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Moberly 4, Boonville 0
Odessa 4, Lutheran KC 1
Smith-Cotton 7, Ruskin 0