11/05/06

Peaking at the right time is the key.

Most teams rally around a cause -- a well-loved graduating senior, an injured player not able to hit the floor, or maybe even a David vs. Goliath thing.

Check. Check. And check.

Senior LeAnn Berscheit, the program's all-time leader in total blocks and block assists, has been lucky enough to play on the floor with her sophomore sister and UMAC-leading setter, Kati. LeAnn and the Saints have been bounced from the first round each of the past two years, and lost the tournament final three seasons ago. Looking for an appropriate send-off, LeAnn and the team found a rallying point.

Then there's freshman Rebecca Udermann whose horrifying on-court injury left in indelible mark on the psyche, and hearts, of her teammates. With Rebecca on the bench -- with her crutches in tow -- each Saint substitution would high five their fallen teammate every time exiting the court. Rallying point number two.

And finally, there was Goliath -- regular-season conference champion Martin Luther College who's only lost four matches all season and were playing the UMAC tournament on their home court.

The perfect storm came together for the Saints on Saturday in New Ulm, Minn., as they first disposed of Bethany Lutheran in the semi-finals, then took the opening game against their Goliath, 31-29 in extra time.

The Knights bounced back to take the second game 30-23 and perhaps steal the momentum, but St. Scholastica fought back with a 30-27 game three win to put themselves one game away from the championship.

Defending champions in a title match usually don't go quietly and Martin Luther wasn't about to let the upstart Saints walk off the floor with the trophy that easily. Again, the Knights won a game by a 30-23 score, sending the match to a heart-stopping fifth game finale.

It doesn't get much tighter than how the Saints and Knights played in the deciding game, but this was St. Scholastica's final rallying cry.

Last season they were 0-3 in matches that lasted five games. Much improved in those matches this year, the Saints were 4-4 and facing one more test.

Ultimately, the Saints broke through with the points winding down, and won a 15-12 game that allowed them to capture their first post-season UMAC title since 1999.

Amy Thompson led the Saints with 22 kills while Shawna Varichak added 21. LeAnn Berscheit picked up 15 kills while Kati registered 59 set assists for the Saints.

Defensively, Diana Moody had 22 digs for the Saints, Thompson picked up 17 and Cassie Roden added 15.

The best teams don't rely heavily on emotion or gimmicks. But often, the winning team is the one that finds the right combination of heart, skill, emotion, timing, and purpose. The Saints found that perfect storm of positive-ness and brought home the 2006 UMAC women's volleyball championship.