Fatima senior Alayna Backes was ranked sixth in the state last week for hitting on Max Preps and through MSHSAA during the week with an average season hitting percentage of .407. She was ranked 69th in the nation, and first in Class 2 and Class 2, District 7.

At the time of the ranking, Backes had 190 kills with just 28 errors in 398 attempts. She averaged 4.2 kills per set.

So far during her four-year career, Backes had 567 kills  in 1,595 attempts, with 159 errors as of press time.

Backes led the Lady Comets with seven kills to go with nine digs and an ace in last week’s 25-9, 25-12, 25-20 win over Springfield Catholic. “The girls again showed their ability to hold their tempo and pace of play throughout all three sets,” said Coach Ellie Crede.

Gracie Dickneite added seven kills, followed by Addison Lehmen (5), Lily Kempker (5), and Abby Rogers (2). Leah Muenks posted five aces to lead the team as Kempker posted three, and Annabelle Horton added two.

Muenks had a team-high 11 digs, with eight by Kaylee Berhorst, five from Kempker, three by Rogers, and two from Lehmen.

The JV team beat Springfield Catholic 25-19, 25-15.

On Tuesday, the varsity team travelled to Boonville and returned with an 18-25, 25-16, 18-25, 25-14, 15-13 win. “The girls showed tenacity through all five sets,” said Crede.

Backes was again a leader in the Boonville match, with a hitting percentage of .397 with four blocks. She broke her previous school record of 24 kills with 27 during this match. Kempker also broke her own school record, with 50 assists during the Boonville game.

Stats: Dickneite (12 kills, 4 digs), Addisyn Nilges (6 kills, 3 digs), Lehmen (2 blocks.

In the JV match, Fatima won 25-23, 20-25, 25-21.

On Thursday, the Lady Comets lost in three sets to Class 4 Jefferson City, 17-25, 22-25, 16-25.  “This game taught us how to work under pressure and quickly adjust to continuously changing tendencies,” said Crede.

Fatima won the JV contest, 27-25, 25-15.