On to sectional finals for St. Edward

FORRESTON - While battling through its brutal regular season, St. Edward knew the ends would justify the means.

The Green Wave got their payoff after defeating Winnebago 25-17, 26-24 in a semifinal at the Class 2A Forreston sectional Tuesday night.

The Green Wave (21-17) will look for more of a payoff when they face Oregon at 7 p.m. Thursday, a team they defeated in 2 games earlier in the year, for the sectional title.

"It was nice to finish in 2 games, we sometimes can't finish," St. Edward coach Jaime Walton said about Tuesday's win. "When we play bigger teams, we have to make sure we're blocking every position. When you play smaller teams, you have to worry about one or two hitters."

Winnebago (24-14) senior Heather Asplund was clearly the dominant force for the Indians. The senior put the Indians up 24-23 in with a kill in Game 2. After a quick St. Edward timeout, Molly Kelly (1 block) tied the game at 24 with a block kill. Kristen Haggenjos then put the Green Wave up 25-24 with her untouched 1-handed punch kill to the back right corner. Holly Knott (2 aces) ended the match with an ace to prevent a Game 3.

"It keeps our confidence up to know that we can finish in 2 games," said Green Wave senior Katie Yohn, who finished with 8 kills, 7 assists, 7 digs, 2 blocks and a pair of aces. "We're used to the fast offense. Everywhere in our conference there is a good hitter."

Haggenjos tallied 10 kills and 2 aces. In Game 1, the senior helped break a 14-14 tie with a quick kill. St. Edward proceeded to close the game out on an 11-3 run.

During the Green Wave's 11-3 run, Haggenjos' first ace put St. Edward up 17-15. She then recorded 2 service points and another ace leaving the Green Wave with a 20-15 advantage.

"The ones we got in were very aggressive," Haggenjos said of St. Edward's serves. "Once we got our serves going, then we got some momentum."