Fatima’s varsity volleyball team started and ended last week strong with wins over Montgomery County and Linn before winning the Melissa Hoerber Tournament at Fulton on Saturday.

“We carried our momentum from earlier in the week into the tourney,” said Coach Ellie Crede.

The Lady Comets went undefeated throughout the day and claimed first place. “The week showcased the team’s resilience, depth, and ability to compete at a high level, setting the tone for the rest of the season,” Crede added.

Fatima knocked off Centralia (25-15), Fulton (25-15, 25-22), Bowling Green (25-12, 25-15), New Bloomfield (25-13, 25-8), and California to claim the title.

Tournament stat leader averages: Alayna Backes (1.2 aces, 11.3 kills, 8.3 digs), Lily Kempker (1.7 aces, 17.8 assists, 2.2 kills, 2.8 digs), Leah Muenks (5.5 digs), Kaylee Berhorst (4.7 digs), Horton (1.0 aces, 3.2 digs), Emma Scheppers (1.0 aces, 4.0 assists), Addison Lehmen (3.7 kills, 2.2 digs), Gracie Dickneite (3.2 kills), and Abby Rogers (1.5 kills).

Berhorst, Muenks, Kempker, and Backes were recognized with All-Tournament Team honors for their outstanding performances.

On Thursday, the Lady Comets lost to Hermann in a hard-fought match after knocking off Linn (25-22, 19-25, 25-13, 25-22) on Tuesday, and Montgomery County (25-13, 25-17, 25-14) the previous night.

Against the Lady Cats, Fatima’s Leah Muenks posted three of the team’s five aces, with the other two coming from Annabelle Horton. At the net, Addison Lehmen had a team-high seven digs, five kills, and a block, with four kills by Addisyn Nilges (1 dig), and three by Dickneite.

In Monday’s win, Kempker’s three aces led the way, with another by Horton and one by Camryn Muenks. Backes and Lehmen were solid at the net with eight and seven kills, respectively, as Dickneite counted five, and Elizabeth Voss finished with four. Backes also had a pair of blocks as Voss and Kempker each posted one.

Defensively, Backes, Horton, and Kaylee Berhorst counted six digs apiece, Kempker added four, and Muenks had three.

All told last week, Backes led the offensive charge, averaging 12 kills per match and finishing the week with an impressive .408 hitting percentage. New varsity addition Voss also made her mark, posting a solid .200 hitting percentage. On the defensive side, Muenks anchored the back row, averaging seven digs per match.