A program’s first state berth is on the line for the WACO volleyball team tonight in Mount Pleasant when the Warriors face off with Burlington Notre Dame in a class 1A regional final.

After dropping five of their final seven regular season matches, the Warriors have returned to their winning ways with sweeps of Sigourney and North Mahaska before taking down Lisbon in five sets on Monday to advance to the finals. Revenge is the Warrior goal, as the Nikes spoiled senior night on October 8th with a four set win. Burlington Notre Dame is 16-5, but riding an 11 game win streak after midseason additions of twin sister transfers in Jenna and Josie Bentz. Jenna has quickly racked up 358 assists and has been successful on 97% of serves. Josie is a top hitter with 132 kills and she also has managed 103 digs. WACO comes in with a 26-7 overall mark with season leaders being Grace Coble with 675 assists, Morgan Graber with 343 kills, Lona Farrier 69 blocks, and Aubri Garnsey with 455 digs. 

WACO Head Coach Jay Coble tells KCII Sports the keys to victory. “They are a really good blocking team and extremely athletic. They will have five players in their front row that will be taller than anyone we have in the front row. We have to combat that by passing and moving the ball well so their blockers aren’t waiting for us when we swing. We have seen them and played them tough so we will not be shell-shocked by their size.”

The chance to make history begins at 7 p.m. tonight at Mount Pleasant High School.