The Lady Owls took third place at the Smith-Cotton Invitational, senior Allison Thomas (14) contributing 18 kills. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

SEDALIA -- For the second time in three years, the Santa Fe volleyball team took home the championship trophy of the Smith-Cotton Invitational, held Saturday at Sedalia.

The Lady Chiefs, ranked No. 1 in the MHSVCA Class 1 poll, came from behind to beat Grain Valley, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, in the title match behind 10 kills and 12 digs from senior Kylie Wagner.

Sophomore Molly Sander and senior Joci Russell each made the all-tournament team, Sander with nine kills and 14 assists and Russell putting down six shots and pulling up 17 during the finals. Junior Lauren Aversman had nine spikes and senior Chelsea Gieselman contributed nine digs and 16 assists.

Santa Fe beat Marshall in the semifinal round, 25-23, 25-9, as Russell provided five kills, 12 saves and a pair of aces. The Lady Owls finished in third place with a 25-15, 25-13 victory over Warrensburg.

Santa Fe won its first pool match, 25-9, 25-13, over Odessa, but split the next two against Warrensburg (17-25, 25-20) and Versailles (26-28, 25-23) -- who the Lady Chiefs defeated for the title two years ago.

Sander led Santa Fe on the day with 30 kills and 42 digs, Aversman had 40 saves and Wagner and junior Cassie Prior each came up with 39 digs. Gieselman had 55 assists and 12 of the 33 aces recorded by the Lady Chiefs (10-1-2), who will play Tuesday at I-70 Conference foe Wellington-Napoleon.

Senior Maddy Keller paced Marshall during the meet with 29 kills and 31 digs. The Lady Owls were unbeaten in pool play, with wins over Stover (25-17, 25-23) and Smith-Cotton (25-18, 28-26) and a draw against Grain Valley (16-25, 25-12) -- which had earlier beaten them in a regular season match.

Sophomore Becca Keller knocked down 21 shots and pulled up 27, senior Allison Thomas had 19 kills and 27 digs and junior Morgan Ryther made 11 blocks. Senior Stephanie Heinzler set 77 of Marshall's 93 successful attacks.

The Lady Owls (8-8-1) return to the court today at Chillicothe.