Lady Saints finish second in Region VI volleyball tournament
NOV. 15, 2004

Contributed to Crusader

HUTCHINSON — Coming into the Region VI volleyball tournament, the Seward County Lady Saints weren't expected to contend with the top seeds, but they did.

The Lady Saints played five matches beating fifth-seeded Cloud County, third-seeded Garden City, second-seeded Barton County, then lost to No. 1 seeded Hutchinson in both the second round and the Region VI finals. Hutchinson now advances to the NJCAA National Tournament.

The Lady Saints, who had qualified for the national tournament the past five seasons, competed strong in the Region VI tourney. They defeated Cloud County (30-15, 30-18, 30-11), Garden City (30-28, 26-30, 30-23, 30-28) and Barton County (30-23, 30-28, 30-23).

SCCC head volleyball coach Brad Settle said he feels finishing second capped off a great effort in the tournament.

“I think we did really well in the tournament,” Settle said. “It was one of our better ones this season. This was a really a good finish for us.”

The Lady Saints had two players named to the Region VI team; sophomores Luana Cavalcanti and Eliza Cezario were both selected. Cavalcanti was selected to the first team and Cezario was named to the Region VI second team.

Cavalcanti hit .440 (98 kills, 21 errors, 175 attacks) for the tournament. She had double/doubles against Barton County and Hutchinson. Cavalcanti finished the Region VI tournament with 98 kills (6.13 kills per game) and 62 digs (3.88 digs pergame).

Cezario carried the Lady Saints at the net with 16 total blocks, and she added 21 digs for the tournament. On the offensive side of the net, she had 20 kills and eight service aces.

 Other Lady Saints who had a strong tournament showing were sophomore outside hitter Heidi Dreiling, freshman middle blocker Sarah Schinstock, and freshman middle blocker Briane Smith. Dreiling finished the tournament with 31 kills and 22 digs. Schinstock finished the tournament with 15 kills and 18.5 blocks at the net and Smith added 29 kills and 12 blocks.

 Sophomores Sarah Younger and Mary Trimble played their last match in a Seward County uniform. Younger, the team’s setter, provided 114 assists and 38 digs. Trimble, the team’s defensive specialist, had 24 digs and equaled Cezario’s service aces with eight.