By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

Published: Sunday, November 08, 2009
Updated: Friday, October 23, 2009 11:24 AM CDT

PARK HILLS — The effective attacking tandem of sophomore Elle Korenak and junior Anna Sedgwick sparked the Ste. Genevieve volleyball team to an impressive final showing at the MAAA Tournament on Thursday night.

Korenak connected for eight kills along the outside and Sedgwick knocked down seven more from the middle, as the Hunters topped cross-town rival Valle Catholic 25-22, 25-23 in the third-place contest.

Laura Rhodes compiled 13 digs while Korenak made 11 and Gwen Dallas added nine for the Hunters (18-11) in a match that featured a number of sparkling defensive rallies between two familiar opponents.

Valle (15-11) countered at the net with 10 kills and six blocks from senior Abbie Bergtholdt, and enjoyed a fast 8-3 start when she ripped a short-set down the middle following an ace by libero Katie Bader.

Liz Huck spiked off the sideline to conclude a long exchange for the Hunters after Dallas and Bader traded brilliant digs, and Ste. Genevieve used the momentum to surge ahead 13-12 on a strong kill from Sedgwick.

Korenak extended the margin to six points with two successful swings from the left side, and Kristen Faulkner spiked a back-set from Emily Schwent on game point after Valle had battled back to within 24-22.

Faulkner and Schwent each dished out 10 assists in the victory, and Huck served a team-high 11 points including four straight to begin game two.

Huck returned behind the line for a five-point streak later in the stanza, as the Lady Warriors failed to clear two errant passes from the net. Korenak attacked cross-court for a kill and an eventual 21-12 Ste. Genevieve lead.

Valle nearly completed a scrappy and stunning comeback down the stretch, keeping several rallies alive as Alexa Kuenzel served seven consecutive points.

Sophomore Natalie Grass perfectly placed two deep spikes inside the line, and her sixth kill overall erased the Hunters’ initial match point at 24-23, but Huck tapped off the double-block to seal the outcome.

Katlin Abt shared five blocks with one solo, and Taylor Beyatte totaled 11 assists to lead the fourth-seeded Lady Warriors. Hannah Kuenzel made 15 digs while Gretchen Koller and Bader brought up 12 each.