For the third consecutive year, the Westminster Christian volleyball team will compete for a state championship.
The second-seeded Crusaders secured their berth in Saturday's 9 a.m. Division V final by eliminating No. 3 Ascension Catholic 25-20, 25-15, 25-11 in the semifinals at the Cajundome on Friday morning.
"It feels good," WCA coach Keith Leon said. "How many teams can play in the state championship three times in a row, win it or not? That's important."
The Crusaders (35-8) finished as runner-up to Metairie Park Country Day the past two seasons. Country Day, which is seeded No. 1, will be seeking its ninth straight state title. The Cajuns (31-5) defeated No. 5 Louise McGehee in the other semifinal.
"I think it's going to be a good game," said Leon, whose team took Country Day to five sets two years ago. "Last year, we were young. We had a lot of freshmen on the court. This year we have senior leadership that is unbelievable and sophomores playing lights out."
Senior middle blocker Bethany Stoute was animated and unstoppable against Ascension Catholic (25-14), recording nine blocks and scoring the first and last points of the match. She entered the tournament with 77 blocks on the year.
"That's what ignites the team right there," Leon said. "When Bethany gets crazy on the court, everybody follows lead, and it's amazing."
Stoute, who entered the tourney with a little more than 1,000 career kills, collected eight in the semifinals. Laila Gauthier led WCA with nine kills. Anna Ware added 26 assists. Isabella Guy and Kristian Thomas collected eight assists and 17 digs.
"Anna Ware was phenomenal, putting balls where we needed them every time," Leon said of his setter, who has more than 3,000 career assists. "Laila had a great game inside. My libero, Kristian, she's amazing. Sophia (Wiltz) was out with an ankle injury last week. She came on strong. That was big.
"This one right here," Leon added, gesturing towards Stoute. "She brought the team on her back today. Everybody followed her."
Stoute teared up as she revealed that she's been playing with a torn rotator cuff on her dominant side the entire season.
"This is an amazing experience that everyone should get to be a part of," she said of the state tournament. "I was on cloud nine before the match. I just knew that this team needed to be lit up.
"I couldn't be more proud of this team. Just knowing how we've worked so hard — an injury means nothing when it means playing for my teammates."