Fair Grove is one step closer to a second consecutive state title and a perfect season after sweeping Hermann 3-0 in a rematch of last season’s state title match.
The match was much closer than the 3-0 final might indicate.
In the first set, it was back and forth throughout the frame and eventually tied up at 16-16. From there, Hermann went on a 3-0 run to take a 19-16 advantage. Hermann maintained a lead up to 23-21 forcing Fair Grove’s second timeout.
Fair Grove came out of the timeout on fire.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
Sofee Garrett got Fair Grove within one with a kill out of the timeout. Ashton Bell followed that up with a booming hit that ricocheted off the Hermann defender all the way over their bench.
With the game tied, Greta Arnett logged back-to-back kills to close out the set and claim the first set victory.
The second set was a marathon.
Hermann fought off five Fair Grove set points before the Eagles closed out the set on a mishit by Hermann for a 31-29 win.
In the third set, Fair Grove pulled away in the middle of the set on the way to a 25-18 win.
Fair Grove moved to 40-0 on the season and has a 49-match winning streak working dating back to last season.
The Eagles face Bishop LeBlond (32-3-1) for the Class 2 state championship at 4 pm on Saturday in Cape Girardeau.
