Kelsey Cissell, St. Vincent

The St. Vincent girls volleyball team would not be where it is now -- heading to the Class 2 final four in Warrensburg this Friday and Saturday -- if not for where senior Kelsey Cissell placed her spike last Thursday night.

With St. Vincent having lost the first game of the District 1 championship to Arcadia Valley 25-20 and trailing in the second game, 25-24, Cissell attacked from the left side of the net and placed a kill attempt to the far sideline. It was close enough that Arcadia Valley players initially thought they had the match won.

But the shot was ruled in and St. Vincent went on to win the second game 27-25 and the third game 25-15 to claim the match.

"We can always rely on her," St. Vincent first-year coach Mindy House said. "She's an all-around great player, and she always takes care of business."

Cissell had seven kills, 17 assists and eight digs in the district championship match, demonstrating her ability around the rotation.

She also had eight kills and 16 assists in the district semifinals.

On Saturday, Cissell had 14 assists to help St. Vincent avenge a conference loss against Crystal City with a 25-18, 25-22 victory in the state quarterfinal match.

She is one of six seniors who will lead the Indians to the state tournament this weekend.