By: Jason Peake
Rhonda Lawrence called it a heartbreaking end to an incredible season.
It would be hard to argue with that assessment.
In the finale of the 2022 season, Webb City suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss to Platte County on Thursday night in the third-place game of the MSHSAA Class 4 Volleyball Championships inside the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.
In a back-and-forth marathon match that started just after 9:30 p.m. and didn't conclude until nearly midnight, the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 25-23, 16-25, 22-25, 31-29, 15-11.
"We got so close, but that's a super heartbreaker," Lawrence told SoMo Sports after sharing postgame hugs with her players and assistant coaches. "Our girls did the best they could, but Platte County got a spurt of energy at the end that we just couldn't quite match. But we're in the top four of the state, so that's nothing to sneeze at by any means. We're heartbroken because we really wanted at least third place…of course we wanted the championship. But I'm super proud of my team."
For the Cardinals, it was an agonizing way to go out.
After dropping the opening set, the Cardinals won the second and third sets and appeared to have all of the momentum. Webb City had three set and match points in the fourth set before a season-ending victory slipped away.
The Pirates (27-10) took control of the deciding fifth set right away and the Cardinals settled for the fourth-place trophy.
Webb City ended the season with a record of 32-6-2.
"I'm so proud of my teammates," Webb City senior outside hitter Kate Brownfield said. "Making the Final Four this year shows how hard we've worked and it shows how hard our past teams have worked. And it sets an example and sets an expectation for our future teams."
Brownfield added this season was unforgettable.
"Coming to the state tournament will be at the top of the list," she said of the memories she and her teammates made together. "I'll always remember the relationships that we've developed. We're going to be friends for life."
MATCH RECAP
After dropping their respective semifinal matches on Thursday afternoon, Webb City and Platte County battled for the state's third place trophy late Thursday night.
The opening set was tied at 23 when the Pirates reeled off two straight points.
The Cardinals stormed back in the second set, leading 16-8.
After Brownfield served an ace, senior outside hitter Brenda Lawrence recorded back-to-back solo blocks to give Webb City a 23-15 advantage. After the two teams traded points, Webb City ended the second set on senior Kyah Sanborn's setter dump.
There were 17 ties in the third set, the last coming at 20-all. Webb City finished strong, as Brenda Lawrence slammed a kill at the net and then served an ace. Late kills from Lawrence, Brownfield and junior outside hitter Aubree Lassiter gave the set to the Cardinals.
Up two sets to one, the Cardinals nearly finished the match in four sets.
The fourth set featured 21 ties, and the Cardinals held set and match points at 24-23, 25-24 and 27-26. Each time, the Pirates staved off elimination. The final tie of the arduous set was at 29-29. That's when the Pirates scored two straight to force a fifth set.
Platte County led 4-0 right away in the fifth set. Webb City tied it up at 7-all, but the Pirates wouldn't be denied, as they reeled off three straight points, never surrendering the lead en route to victory.
"Our girls played hard," Lawrence said. "It was a grudge match. It's hard when you've already played three hard sets and then you have to turn around and play as late as it was. We've been up too many hours. This was our first appearance and I think the time schedule was rough for us."
A STELLAR SEASON
It was a memorable fall campaign for Webb City. The Cardinals advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history after winning a district championship for the second straight season and for the third time in four years.
Webb City's historic and magical postseason run culminated with a trophy presentation at the state tournament. No other Webb City volleyball team had accomplished that feat.
Webb City also surpassed 30 wins for the first time in program history.
"We had a great season," Coach Lawrence said. "We've never had this many wins. In the district tournament and in the quarterfinals, they stepped up and kept playing better and better each game."
Coach Lawrence noted her seniors — Brenda Lawrence, Jenna Noel, Sanborn and Brownfield — played a key role in leading the program into uncharted territory.
"I'm super proud of my seniors and all they've invested into the program," Coach Lawrence said. "They've invested in this since they were young. Their goal was to get to state. They did that and they were in the top four of the whole state of Missouri, so I'm super proud of them. I love each one of my kids and I love my staff. The parents and the community have been very supportive. We have a lot to be proud of."
THEY'LL BE BACK
Webb City will return a solid core next fall. Lassiter, junior libero Sophia Crane and freshman middle middle Jaeli Rutledge will return with starting experience, while sophomore middle Kirra Long also gained significant varsity playing time this season.
"I think it will be motivating for them," Coach Lawrence said of this year's state trip. "They got the experience of being on this floor at this level. They'll be used to the time schedule. They'll be used to the details of being in the Final Four. I think this year will make those girls more hungry next year. The next step will be to do better next time."
EARLIER IN THE DAY
Webb City falls short in semifinals, Cardinals will play for third place
The Webb City Cardinals still have an opportunity to finish the 2022 season with a win.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they just won't be concluding their stellar campaign where they'd hoped—in a state championship game.
Webb City suffered a 3-0 setback to Incarnate Word Academy on Thursday afternoon in a semifinal contest of the MSHSAA Class 4 Volleyball Championships inside the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.
"We didn't play anything like we'd played the last four games," Webb City coach Rhonda Lawrence said. "We didn't play anywhere close to how we'd been playing. We were too worried about what they were doing. We needed to stick to what we do really well. We were hesitant and worried about their big girl. And hesitation never wins in volleyball."
With the loss, Webb City (32-5-2) will meet Platte County (26-10) at 8 p.m. later tonight for third place.
"We have to get our mental frame back where it needs to be for high-level competition," Coach Lawrence said. "We have to get ready for the third-place game. We can still end the season with a win. And not many teams get to do that."
The Cardinals were in uncharted territory on Thursday, as they competed in a state semifinal for the first time in school history.
The Cardinals held their own with the Red Knights early.
The opening set featured 10 ties, the last coming at 13-13 following kills from Webb City senior outside hitters Brenda Lawrence and Kate Brownfield.
But at that point, Incarnate Word grabbed the momentum for good, reeling off five straight points and finishing the first set on a 12-4 run.
The second and third sets played out similarly, as the Red Knights doubled up the Cardinals at 16-8 both times en route to victory.
In both sets, Webb City simply was unable to come from behind after trailing by eight.
Incarnate Word's attackers were able to find the holes in Webb City's defense while the Cardinals struggled to do the same. The Cardinals also had three service errors late in the second set that proved costly.
In the third set, the Red Knights took a commanding 21-10 lead before finishing off the sweep.
"We made a lot of unforced errors and lost confidence," Coach Lawrence said. "We gave them too many points in every set. They're a very good team and they earned their own points. But you can't win volleyball games giving away points like that. We just didn't play like we'd been playing. Incarnate Word did what they do well and we didn't play our game."
The 5-foot-10 Brownfield led the Cardinals with 13 kills, while her classmate Brenda Lawrence added seven kills and Aubree Lassiter, a 6-foot junior, contributed five kills.
Senior setter Kyah Sanborn handed out 25 assists, while junior libero Sophia Crane recorded a team-high eight digs.
Tara Greenberry, a 6-3 sophomore middle hitter, recorded 14 kills for Incarnate Word. Sophomore outside hitter Ellie Witthaus added 10 kills for the Red Knights. Sammi Bergjans dished out 31 assists and Abby Freund had 15 digs.