The Webb City volleyball Cardinals are going to the state final four for the first time in school history.

In the Class 4 state tournament, they are set to play Incarnate Word Academy at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Show Me Center at Cape Girardeau. 

The winner of that game will play for the championship at 2 p.m. Friday. While the loser will stick around and play for third place at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Even though the 32-4-2 Cardinals hadn’t lost a set in seven games, advancing to state wasn’t a certainty when they played 29-7-3 Helias Catholic in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon in the Cardinal Dome.

The home team won the first set 25-11. But Helias came back 26-24 and 25-17 for a 2-1 lead.

Webb City came back 25-21 for the tie and 15-10 for the best of five and final four berth.

Senior Brenda Lawrence stepped up to lead the Cardinals on the attack with 15 kills. Kate Brownfield added 9 and Jaeli Rutledge 6. Kyah Sanborn and Aubree Lassiter both had 5.

Lawrence also had 6 service aces, 10 digs and 2 solo blocks. Lassiter was the solo block leader, with 4.

Sanborn had 33 sets and 12 digs, and Sophia Crane had 23 digs. Brownfield and Jenna Noel had 19 and 11 digs, respectively.

Helias’ season ended at 29-7-3.

It will be the first time the Cardinals and the 28-12 Incarnate Word Red Knights have played each other in volleyball.

Tickets must be purchased in advance online either from MSHSAA or the Show Me Center. They’re $10 per day plus a $5 parking fee. The tournament will also be televised (paid access) on MSHSAA TV.