After a more than successful weekend for Lafayette High School, the girls volleyball team reached their sweet 3-peat, third championship title in a row, while both girls and boys cross country place third in the Class 4 State meet.

Girls Volleyball

The Lady Lancer volleyball team has now won their 3rd consecutive state title. Their journey in postseason play began against Seymour in the Quincy Notre Dame High School (QND) Invitational in Illinois. They defeated all five opponents they matched up against in the tournament. In fact, during the tournament, the team did not surrender a single set.

After winning against Mater Dei in the QND Invitational Finals, the girls carried on the impressive play at the District Semi-Finals at Washington High School, in Washington, Missouri. The girls quickly shut down Washington and then continued to compete well against the Eureka Wildcats, Oakville Tigers and St. Joseph’s Academy Angels. After another trio of wins there, they proceeded on to State pool play, which was located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Their first opponent was Park Hill South. Lafayette shut them down 2-0, winning their first match of the day easily. Their next match would be against Ozark, in which they couldn’t quite come out on top and ended up tying 1-1. In the final game of the day, they knocked off their Suburban West Conference rival Marquette Mustangs 2-0.

With their terrific 2-0-1 record in pool play, it qualified them for the State Championship Match. Once again, they would play Park Hill South. They took care of Park Hill South for the second time, securing their 3rd state title in a row. They won the match 25-10 in the first set, and 25-13 in the second. Senior Lily Johnson contributed with eight kills and nine digs, along with a terrific day at the service line, collecting three aces.

Much of the Lancers success can be attributed to their departing seniors, many of which will continue to play volleyball in college. However, Lafayette still has a good crop of younger players, which they will look for contributions from in the upcoming few years.

~Ben Rachell, Sports Reporter

Boys Cross Country

After an extra long and more than successful season, the boys cross country team came home with 3rd place from their State meet this past weekend in Jefferson City.

Being Lafayette’s top runner this season, Sophomore Dylan Quisenberry was the only Lancer placing in the State top 10 for the Class 4 Championship. Quisenberry ran a 16:09.04, ending in 8th place overall.  Quisenberry also led the way at Sectionals the previous weekend finishing the race in 3rd place on Nov. 2.

Fellow athletes, Sophomore Alec Haines finished in 35th place followed by Freshman Austin Hindman in 38th place out of 163 competitors.

Although the team was more then happy with 3rd place overall, the judges had made a mix up earlier in the day.  When keeping track of the scores at meets, the athletes are required to wear their number on the side of their body so the computer can see the finishing results.

Getting another team’s number confused with Lafayette’s, the judges had announced that Lafayette had won 1st place overall instead of 3rd.

But, with a team composed of a majority of underclassman, next years season should be even more successful as these young athletes continue to grow and will hope to take home a first place Championship title.

~ Kelly Panzitta, Sports Reporter

Girls Cross Country

Finishing their season last weekend in Jefferson City, the girls cross country team placed third overall at the Class 4 Girls Championship. The girls averaged a time of 19:36.71, giving the team a bronze medal behind first place Francis Howell and second place Nerinx Hall.

Individually, the underclassmen rose to the occasion as the only two Lady Lancers in the top 20. Sophomore Sarah Nicholson placed fourth with a remarkable time of 18:33.67, only one second behind Parkway West’s Maddy Brown. Sophomore Anna West was able to clinch the 13th spot with a time of 19:08.66, also in a tight foot race with 12th place finisher, Lee’s Summit West Kennadee Williams, only one second separating them.

Two more sophomores had strong State meets as Gabby Breiten finished 22nd with a time of 19:17.12 and Emma Riordan placed 51st, clocking out at 20:05.04. Seniors Mary Augustin and Katherine Kelly both placed in the top 120 runners in the state, Kelly with a time of 20:59.05  and Augustin with a close 21:06.70.

Overall this season, the girls found their strength in the young talent, leading them to several top place finishes throughout regular season meets. In State competition, the sophomores stepped up and hope to only improve for next year.

~ Arianna Demos, Sports Editor