Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Livi Huss of St. Edmond tips the ball against Eagle Grove last week in regional action at the Gael gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

MANNING — The St. Edmond volleyball squad passed their first road postseason test here Monday night, claiming a five-set victory over IKM-Manning.

Scores were 21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 16-25 and 15-13.

Next up for the Gaels will be Woodward-Granger on Thursday in a Class 2A, Region 3 semifinal. The Hawks upset No. 8 Tri-Center on Monday night, 21-25, 25-23, 29-27 and 27-25.

Senior Hannah Huss recorded a team-high 18 kills and was also 21-for-21 serving with three aces, 14 digs and a block for SEHS. She also recorded the match-winning point on a kill after the Gaels rallied from a 13-11 deficit in the fifth.

“It was a roller-coaster ride of runs by both teams,” SEHS head coach Dee Huss said. “I am so proud of the entire team, as we’ve had some really good practices leading up to the match with our non-starters pushing the starters to work on making adjustments.”

With the victory, St. Edmond (17-13 overall) has now won the most matches in the program since the 2007 season, when the Gaels were 17-11.

Macey Mason was also perfect serving, connecting on all 14 of her attempts with two aces and 18 digs.

Erin Flattery had seven kills, four blocks and an ace, Devyn Scott added seven kills and a block, and Jacque Oberg had 10 digs.

“These girls needed a tough road win like this and they couldn’t have done it without leaning on each other the entire night,” Huss said. “We have a great rotation that allows any one of them to step up and take advantage.”

Josie Huss added five kills, six digs and was 19-for-19 serving, Livi Huss had four kills and was 13 of 13 serving with a block, and Hannah Schaeffer chipped in seven kills.

Woodward-Granger (24-13) has won three in a row and six of seven overall, losing only during that time to Fort Dodge. Tri-Center entered the night with a record of 27-2 and had not lost since midway through September.

“We had a really good fan base and I know our players really relied on that for support,” Huss said. “It was a fun bus ride home and we’ll keep working on the little things to prepare us for Thursday.”

The winner between St. Edmond and Woodward-Granger will face either fourth-ranked Council Bluffs St. Albert or ACGC next Tuesday in Underwood for a spot in the 2A state tournament.