Omaha Mercy spoiled Senior Night at St. Albert Tuesday by sweeping the Saintes 25-22, 25-19, 25-12 in a volleyball match at the St. Albert gymnasium.

The Saintes gave it a go in the first game, but Mercy pulled out the close contest and led for most of game two before putting away the six-point lead.

Mercy never trailed in the third game and pulled away for the 13-point decision against the deflated Saintes.

"We wish we could have had a better showing for the seniors," St. Albert coach Angie Lantz said.

The coach said the big difference was the first game, as the loss seemed to take the wind out of the St. Albert sails.

"We put it all out there in the first game," Lantz said. "They stole so much of our fire in the first game.

"It's good to play a tough team like that. It lets you see some of the things you need to work on."

Becca Gradoville led the Saintes with eight kills, while Natalie Andrews added 12 set assists and seven digs. Krista Kennebeck and Caitlin cool also had seven digs.

The Saintes (12-11) are climbing into the final stretch of the season and things won't get any easier.

When the regional parings were announced in the middle of last week the Saintes were stuck with perhaps the state's toughest draw as they will have to take on Class 2A No. 2 Treynor to open the postseason on Oct. 17.

"We're not worried about that right now," Lantz said, noting her team would be focusing on the Thomas Jefferson Tournament during practice this week. "We've got to take things one match at a time.

"Saturday we're going to Thomas Jefferson and we're going to need to take things one match at a time there."

Omaha Mercy 25 25 25

St. Albert 22 19 12

St. Albert: Serving: Natalie Andrews 10-10 (1 ace), Krista Kennebeck 7-7, Caitlin Finn 9-9, Lauren Kennebeck 8-8, Caitlin Cool 9-9, Becca Gradoville 10-10 (1). Assists: Andrews 12, Lauren Kennebeck 6. Kills: Gradoville 8, Morgan Wickersham 3, Krista Kennebeck 2, Aly Gorman 3, Taylor Russell 3, Caitlin Cool 7. Digs: Andrews 7, Gradoville 2, Wickersham 1, K. Kennebeck 7, Finn 6, Taylor Russell 1, Caitlin Cool 7. Blocks: Wickersham 1, Russell 1.

Record: St. Albert (12-11).

Rating: SWI: St. Albert 8th (1A-2A).

~Jeff Deluca~ Daily Nonpareil 09.27.06