<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0wx6G6_1H4CUUKa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0wx6G6_1H4CUUKa00" width="1499" height="1383" ><figcaption>St. Thomas More players celebrate a point against Teurlings Catholic on Friday at the Cajundome. STAFF PHOTO BY LESLIE WESTBROOK</figcaption></figure>St. Thomas More wanted the opportunity to not only defend its state volleyball championship, but also the chance to make it six in a row.And the Cougars now have it.One day after getting off to a slow start and displaying some “Cajundome nerves,” the Cougars came out firing on all cylinders Friday as they swept crosstown rival Teurlings Catholic 25-14, 25-18 and 25-17 in the Division II semifinals at the Cajundome.“We are super excited,” Cougars coach Jessica Burke said. “I got a little emotional there at the end of our game, just because it’s really special what they are doing. I know how hard they’ve worked and I’m really grateful that they get the opportunity to play (Saturday).”Burke, who admittedly doesn’t like talking about the streaks of state championships or state final appearances (seven), said it’s “crazy when you put it into perspective.”“I normally don’t sit back and think about that because I’m so (focused),” Burke said. “But it’s really unique and it kind of hit me a little bit (Friday). It’s very unique, what we’re able to do in Division II. There’s a lot of great teams in our division and have been. For us to be able to sustain going, that’s a really special thing.”In the match against the Rebels, there wasn’t anything the Cougars didn’t flourish at as they excelled in every facet of the match for all three sets.“I think that we train all skills, and we try to be very well-rounded in every aspect,” Burke said. “If you take something away from us, then we’re going to do something different. We have a lot of tools in our belt. Defensively, we can make adjustments. For us to execute in all aspects is a really special thing, and I still think we have room for improvement.”St. Thomas More’s outstanding performers against the Rebels were Morgan Dunn, Clare Thomson, Mallory Franklin, Madeline Blanchard (16 digs) and Virginia Blanchard (11 digs, two aces). Dunn was dominant at the net, recording a match-high 15 kills, while Thomson had 30 assists and Franklin had eight kills and two blocks.“A bunch of credit goes to my attackers. We were loose (Friday), and we were smart,” Burke said. “It was nice to see us relaxed, being tactical and having conversations with each other. When we were doing that and playing our game, we’re pretty tough to contend with, for sure.”For the Rebels, whose season ends with an overall record of 29-11, Ava Robin, Courtlin Moran, Maya Leonard and Keli Landry were the top performers in the match. Robin had nine kills and one block, Moran had eight kills, Leonard posted four blocks, and Landry had 18 assists, eight digs and three aces.The Cougars, who are looking to win the program’s 12th volleyball state title, will face St. Michael at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Cajundome. It’ll be the second meeting this year between the two teams, as the Cougars went on the road and defeated St. Michael’s in four sets (23-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-17) on Oct. 26.“It was a great game,” Burke said. “It was back and forth, so it should be a great matchup (Saturday). We will definitely have to be on our game. They are a great team, and they are well-coached. It will be a fun championship, for sure.”</div></body>

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St. Thomas More wanted the opportunity to not only defend its state volleyball championship, but also the chance to make it six in a row. And the Cougars now have it. One day after getting off to a slow start and displaying some “Cajundome nerves,” the Cougars came out firing on all cylinders Friday as they swept crosstown rival Teurlings Catholic 25-14, 25-18 and 25-17 in the Division II semifinals at the Cajundome.

St. Thomas More sweeps Teurlings to return to Division II state finals

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St. Thomas More wanted the opportunity to not only defend its state volleyball championship, but also the chance to make it six in a row. And the Cougars n

St. Thomas More sweeps Teurlings to return to Division II state finals

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