The Webb City High School volleyball team is set to make history.
Webb City (32-4-2) will meet Incarnate Word (28-12) in the semifinals of the MSHSAA Class 4 state tournament at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
Battle-tested from playing in the always-tough Central Ozark Conference, Webb City is in the semifinals of the state tourney for the first time in program history.
After capturing the District 6 championship, the Cardinals knocked off Helias Catholic 3-2 in the quarterfinal round. Webb City came back from a 2-1 deficit in the matchup with the Crusaders.
Incarnate Word beat Parkway Central 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The Red Knights are in the semifinals for the first time since 2017.
Thursday’s other Class 4 semifinal will feature Platte County (26-9) against defending champion Westminster Christian (30-2-5).
The semifinal losers will play for third place at 8 on Thursday night. The championship match is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CARDINALS
Webb City’s starting lineup features senior outside hitters Brenda Lawrence and Kate Brownfield, senior setter Kyah Sanborn, senior defensive specialist Jenna Noel, junior outside hitter Aubree Lassiter, junior libero Sophia Crane and freshman middle hitter Jaeli Rutledge.
Sophomore middle blocker Kirra Long also sees playing time off the bench.
Lawrence, Brownfield, Lassiter and Rutledge give the Cardinals plenty of firepower at the net.
The 5-foot-10 Lawrence has recorded 306 kills this season, while the 6-foot Lassiter has 291 kills. The 5-10 Brownfield has 270 kills and the 6-1 Rutledge has 188.
Sanborn has handed out a team-high 972 assists from the setter position, while Crane has recorded 500 digs and 54 aces, both team highs.
The Cardinals haven’t lost a match since Oct. 6. Since then, they’re 11-0-1.
Also of note, Webb City has more than 30 wins in a season for the first time in school history. The Cardinals captured a district championship for the second straight year and for the third time in four seasons.
The Cardinals, who won tourney titles at Carl Junction and Willard during the regular season, are led by head coach Rhonda Lawrence. She is assisted by Jason Brown, Olivia Lewis and Mollie Keene.
