Maryville won the first game of Wednesday’s Class 2 District 16 championship handily before being tested by Bishop LeBlond in the second game. But the Spoofhounds still were able to squeeze past and end LeBlond’s season at Grace Gymnasium 25-13, 25-22.

LeBlond (22-12-2) was able to win the opening point of the match on a Kelly Walker ace, but things quickly turned sour for the Golden Eagles. Maryville (34-1) was able to take advantage of LeBlond’s hitting errors on serve returns as well as a strong attack from its offense on it’s way to the double-digit win of the first game.

“For us, the Achilles heel all year has been our passing, our serve-receive passing,” LeBlond coach Kim Huss said, “That’s what really hurt us.

“That was a really big problem for us tonight.”

The second game unfolded as a back-and-forth affair that featured six ties and six lead changes before Maryville was able to take the lead for good at the score of 17-16. The Eagles were able to put many of their first game errors behind them, but Maryville’s hitting and strong serving proved to be too much.

Jordan Stiens came up with several rally-ending kills and ended the night leading Maryville with 11 total. Stiens was set up all night by Rachel Tobin, whose consistent passing led to a team-high 17 assists.

“I try to play smart,” Stiens said, “but if I can see an open spot I just try to swing away.

“I love having (Tobin). She works really hard at what she does, and I don’t think she gets enough credit. None of it would be possible without her, so (having her) is just awesome.”

Stiens didn’t only control the game with her offense. She also controlled the net on defense by leading both teams with five blocks.

A major issue for the Eagles was holding serve. Only once in the contest was an Eagle able to serve three consecutive points. The Spoofhounds were able to serve at least three consecutive points eight times. Being able to break LeBlond’s serve and its momentum was something that Maryville coach Lori Klaus attributed to her team’s composure.

“When we would lose focus, we would just get refocused,” Klaus said, “and we didn’t ever let them take control of the game. A couple times we were down by a few points in the second game, but we kept passing, which is obviously the backbone of volleyball. You have to be able to pass. And I don’t think we ever got down on our serves ... and I think that kept us in the game.”

LeBlond fans saw the all-state player and senior Walker end her career with 20 assists, a game high. Ashburn Holley was the main beneficiary of those with six kills, but Walker’s fellow senior Katie Jones also chipped in five.

Maryville will take on the winner of the Class 2 District 15 Championship between Lee’s Summit Community Christian and West Platte. That sectional match-up will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lexington High School.