Finishing just shy of advancing to the state tournament provided the Notre Dame boys volleyball team with a little incentive this season.

In only their second year as a program, the Bulldogs finished second in district pool play but didn't stop there, defeating O'Fallon Living Word Christian in straight sets to advance to the Class 3 final four.

"They've been dreaming about this all year," Notre Dame coach Mark Moore said. "We've been talking about this all year. ... They understood last year how close we were to being in the elite eight, and we knew we could make that trip this year. It's been kind of all we've talked about.

"I think it would have been a disappointment in their eyes and mine if we had not reached the elite eight this year, so I don't know that they're too taken aback." Notre Dame will take on defending Class 3 champion Parkway Central in a semifinal at 7 p.m. today at Westminster Christian Academy in Town and Country, Missouri.

Although boys volleyball isn't governed by the Missouri State High School Athletics Association, a group of coaches and officials in the St. Louis area oversee and organize state tournaments while following MSHSAA guidelines along the way, according to Moore.

Of the eight combined semifinalists in Class 3 and 4, Notre Dame is the only school located outside of the suburban St. Louis area.

"It's a chance to get Southeast Missouri on the map and hopefully generate some more interest in boys volleyball down in this area," Moore said. "... It's huge for our program, not just for these boys this year, but I think for the long-term success of the program."

Class 3 consists of four districts, which begin the postseason with a round-robin tournament. The top two teams from each district qualify for the state tournament. Despite finishing second in their district, the Bulldogs upended O'Fallon in the quarterfinals to advance to the final four, and Moore said it was encouraging to see his players bounce back from finishing second in the district.

"We knew they were capable of great things this year, and our record has kind of shown that. We had an off night at districts," said Moore, whose team dropped a 2-1 decision to St. Mary's in the deciding district match. "I think all the players would agree, and we were kind of fortunate to really even get second for as off our game we were that night. It's good to have second chances and get into that quarterfinal game. ... We played much better that night and were able to get things done."

Notre Dame (23-8) will have its hands full against Parkway Central (21-15-1), which finished first in its district and defeated Affton in the quarterfinals.

"They're the defending Class 3 champs. ... They have a great coach, a guy I've known for years, but they're a really solid program. It's run really well," Moore said. "They've had success over the years. They've got some good players and have had a bit of an up-and-down year. I think they lost a few people from last year, but they still have a good nucleus back. It'll be a really good test for my boys tomorrow."

The Colts are led by senior outside hitter Matthew Schmittdiel, who's averaging 5.5 kills and 1.8 digs per set. Senior outside hitter Zack Jin is averaging 1.7 kills per set for Parkway Central while sophomore right-side hitter Zach Hresko is averaging 1.8 kills per set.

Senior middle hitter Rhett Simmons leads the way for the Bulldogs, averaging 3.3 kills per set, but senior middle/outside hitter John Fennewald (2.7 kps) and senior outside hitter Tyler Allen (2.1 kps) have also powered Notre Dame's offense this season. Fennewald and Simmons are also leading the team in digs, averaging 3.8 and 3.3 digs per set, respectively, this season.

"Offensively, Rhett has been the leader, as far as kills and hitting, and John is just a leader on and off the court with his work ethic, his play, his excitement, his energy. He's always getting guys up. He's the team captain for a reason, and he's kind of been the backbone, keeping all the momentum going and keeping people up," Moore said. "... We wouldn't be where we are without those two, and also Tyler Allen, who's the third starter back from last year.

"Without those three guys bringing this excitement and energy from last year to this year, we wouldn't be where we are now."

Notre Dame won six of its final eight games to finish the regular season, and Moore said cohesion has been the key to his players' late-season success.

"It's been a really good team atmosphere, and we've got primarily only six players," Moore said. "We sub very little, but the bench guys bring all kinds of energy and excitement and keep the team riled up. We had a schedule and faced some of the best Class 4 teams in the state. We also went across and played some of the Illinois teams that were really good, so I don't think these guys are afraid of the competition or afraid of playing anybody.

The winner of today's game will face the winner between Fort Zumwalt South and Westminster in the Class 3 state championship at 7 p.m. Friday.

"They're really pumped. They just can't wait, chomping at the bit," Moore said. "They probably would've loved to go back the next night and not had to wait a couple nights. We had a couple more practices. I think they would have liked to just keep the momentum going and keep the energy going, but I think they're excited.

"They'll be ready to go tomorrow night."