“That might have been our best match this season, and obviously the right time to have your best match of the season,” De Smet volleyball coach Tim Haffner said.

“We had no bids in St Louis, even after we prodded and poked and asked,” MSHSAA executive director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad said.

De Smet (33-1) will play St. Louis U. High in the championship match at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

CAPE GIRARDEAU — St. Louis U. High setter Tanner Zippay has the volleyball team’s offense cruising in the fast lane.

De Smet will take a take a 24-match winning streak into the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Fort Zumwalt South (23-6-1) in Cape Girardeau.

SLUH will play Rockhurst (22-4) in the state semifinals at Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Jason Campbell ripped 16 kills and Gavin Schlatter and Ethyn Durham each had seven for the Spartans.

“It's a huge piece, and when it's on, it's pretty amazing, and it makes our job in the back row a lot easier,” Lafayette coach Whitney Ralph said.

“Cohen’s the definition of a five-tool player,” Lindbergh coach Atom Zuniga said.

“Our coaches always said that pressure is a privilege,” De Smet senior Evan Strahlendorf said.

TOWN AND COUNTRY — De Smet Jesuit outside hitter Cole Esparza felt good walking into the gym Thursday and it showed on the court.

“Think the biggest key for us today was just playing within ourselves, but then still trying to push ourselves to try new things,” North coach Joe Bao said.

“Anytime you can get a win against a program as good as Lafayette, it feels really, really good,” Lindbergh coach Atom Zuniga said.