Mid-Buchanan was able to take advantage of several Bishop LeBlond errors and jump out to an early lead in the first game of Tuesday’s Class 2 District 16 semifinals. But after putting a scare into the No. 2-seeded Golden Eagles, the Dragons began to commit some errors of their own and were knocked out of the tournament in straight games — 25-18, 25-14 — at Grace Gymnasium.

The Eagles (22-11-2), whose players and coach alike admit they are slow-starters, watched as their own hitting errors helped the Dragons (18-11) jump ahead 12-7 in the first game.

“We just decided to act like we belong here,” Mid-Buchanan coach Ron Underwood said. “We decided to play confidently, and we got rewarded for that.”

But, as they have many times this season, LeBlond’s players responded to the challenge and won 18 of the next 24 points for the final 25-18 margin.

“That’s really just our team,” senior Kelly Walker said. “That’s how we always are. We tend to dig ourselves a hole, and then we somehow just find ourselves and dig out of it; some nights we don’t, and that’s why we lose. But the times when we can dig ourselves out of a hole it gives our team momentum, and we knew that we can do it and that helps our confidence. So it’s a gift and a curse.”

With the team riding the

momentum of the come-from-behind win, LeBlond nearly shut the door on the second game as soon as it started. With Walker serving, the Eagles reeled off 13 points unanswered to start the second game.

“I knew that we would probably start strong,” coach Kim Huss said. “(Walker) is a great server. She leads our team in ace serves. So that is who you want serving and that’s why we put her serving first. Being the senior, returning all-state player, that’s where we want the ball.”

After the blazing-hot start, the Dragons were able to slow their opponent’s momentum. But eventually, Walker’s sets for the team’s hitters proved to be too much for Mid-Buchanan. Walker ended with 12 assists and five service aces. Walker’s favorite targets, Jackie Ziesel and Ashburn Holley, ended the night with six and four kills respectively. Katie Jones paced the Eagles’ defense with six digs, and Holley had four blocks.

Mid-Buchanan found reliable play from standout hitter Kailei Moppin, who had four service aces and four kills. Moppin was set up most of the night by Missy Tupica, who had five assists.

Maryville 2, Lathrop 0

The No. 1-seeded Spoofhounds earned the right to take on LeBlond in today’s championship game with a win over Lathrop in two games, 25-12, 25-14.

Maryville’s ability to set up its hitters kept the Mules from being able to establish their offense for much of the night. Maryville (33-1) rode that hitting to a lopsided 20-7 lead to start the game. The strong serving of Maryville’s Rachel Tobin also helped build the lead. Tobin served eight straight points, including a stretch of five serves that Lathrop (21-8-1) was unable to returned.

Tobin also was a major key to the Spoofhound offense. She finished with 25 assists, enabling Jordan Stiens to accrue most of her 15 kills.

“We just control the ball really well when it’s on our side,” Maryville coach Lori Klaus said. “You have to have good defense or good passing to be able to get the ball where you want it to hit it.

“(Tobin) always just does her job. You don’t notice her being amazing just because she quietly does her job ... Just business as usual. She’s awesome.”

Stiens also tied Tracy Jensen for the team lead with three blocks. But when the ball got past that pair, libero Leah Bostwick came up with the dig more often than not — posting 11.

Lathrop’s libero, Alexandra Holsted, did her best to counter Maryville’s hitting with 10 digs, but the Mules just didn’t have enough offense with Alexis Goodwin leading the team with only three kills.

Today’s championship between No. 1 Maryville and No. 2 LeBlond takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Gymnasium.