By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Expectations are always high for a Bishop LeBlond volleyball team that's led by 17-year head coach Kim Huss.
The Eagles have won 10 district titles in the last dozen years, and have been to a pair of Final Fours in that time - one in 2012 and again in 2015.
LeBlond finished fourth in '12 and third in '15. Not only are the Eagles seeking their first state title game appearance here in 2021, they're looking to hang that first state championship banner for LeBlond volleyball in school history.
"When we're sitting in all-school Mass (in Grace Gymnasium), everyone can see these banners up on the wall," said Huss. "So, there's a little part of you that recognizes that frequently. Like, 'Hey, will we ever get there? Is it something we're ever capable of?'"
LeBlond has appeared pretty capable this fall, especially as of late. After early October losses to Pembroke Hill, Cameron and Lawson, the Eagles (26-9-1) have reeled off four straight wins, starting with blowout sweeps over Brookfield and Trenton in districts.
LeBlond kept it going with a convincing sweep at East Buchanan in Class 2 sectionals last Thursday and a hard fought, four-set win at Lawson this past Saturday in quarterfinals - a game in which senior and Benedictine basketball commit Kianna Herrera had 20 kills and 23 digs.
"That is not our best game yet," Herrera said. "Like, I know there are still two great games where we are going to grow even more and have that chemistry even more than we already do and it's just amazing how much you can grow from the beginning of the season to now. When you see it on the floor, it just makes you so happy, because we truly are a family and I don't think anyone could break that up."
Chemistry and camaraderie have been key for this LeBlond team. Herrera transferred in from Benton this fall, and immediately settled in, becoming one of the leaders on the court and finding friendship with new teammates.
"When I first came in here, I first saw the potential that we had," Herrera said. "I just knew that if we did what we needed to do as a team and a program, we would reach it and I'm super proud."
Things went well early, as LeBlond raced out to an 11-1 start. It wasn't always smooth sailing. The Eagles went 5-5 in a stretch between Oct. 7 and Oct. 18. Senior libero and setter Emily Welter says it was just a matter of the team hitting their stride at the right time, once postseason play came around.
"I think it just took a little while for us to hit our peak and come together and use all of our strengths," Welter said. "We've had more chemistry right now in the other half of the season. I think we just had to realize what we're capable of and go out there and actually do it."
The Eagles head to Cape Girardeau Friday, where they'll face the Skyline Lady Tigers (20-8-4) at 4 p.m. in the Show Me Center.
The other semifinal features Jefferson (Festus) (32-6-1) going against Hermann (29-5-1) at 4 p.m. on Friday as well. The winners face off in the championship on Saturday at noon. The third place match is at 10 a.m. the same day.
Herrera just went to a Final Four herself with Benton in girls' basketball this past March in Springfield, where the Cardinals finished fourth overall.
As nice as it was to get that experience, Herrera is determined to not finish fourth out of four teams again.
"When you know you have that potential and you don't reach it, it's just disappointing," Herrera said. "So, I told them coming in, we're grateful to get this experience in volleyball, but, our goal is first place and I knew we can get that and we should strive for that over (finishing) third and fourth."
Coach Huss has been able to study a decent amount of game film on their Friday opponent, as well as the other two teams in the field. Especially in this age of streaming, there's plenty of game film out there for the world to see. Studying what LeBlond needs to improve on is just as key, Huss says.
"Making sure that we're practicing the things that we need to do well, so we can take of business on our end of the court."
It's already been another successful season in the storied coaching career for Huss, as she embarks on her third Final Four trip. Players have heard Huss reference back to those teams, and talk about the teams that have made the Final Four.
Well, this 2021 group joins that elite company - one of just three LeBlond volleyball teams, the only three teams in St. Joseph history, to make the Final Four field. Now, this team wants to set themselves apart even further, and make sure that this is the team Kim Huss will reference in the years to come.
"We always say that we want to be the ones she remembers and talks about," Herrera said. "So, when we won that (Lawson) game, it was just really exciting, because we know we will be remembered forever and known as a team that made it to the Final Four, and hopefully, the only team that's ever won state in LeBlond and St. Joe history."
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.