-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Mady Lange of Humboldt tips the ball over St. Edmond Kacey Kruthoff (7) and Isabel Woodhouse (9) on Thursday inside Gaels gym

Justin McDaniel made a few changes in his formation, and the Humboldt volleyball team didn’t miss a beat in a three-game sweep of St. Edmond Thursday night in the Gael gym.

The Wildcats (23-3 overall, 5-1 North Central Conference) cruised to a 25-11 first set victory, followed by a 25-8 win in Game 2. The Gaels (7-15, 0-6) put together a strong final game, but came up short, 25-18.

McDaniel moved junior Kendal Clark to an outside hitter position, and senior Claire Varangkounh went to the right side.

“We switched a few things around and had a new look,” McDaniel said. “Kendal went to the outside and Claire to the right side. Claire has good hands and can set the ball anywhere.”

The Wildcats didn’t lose in the month of September and have won 21 of their last 22 matches. Clarion-Goldfield handed Humboldt their first conference loss to open the month.

Humboldt, who is 56-7 in games, is in the league title hunt. The Cowgirls are 6-0, while Algona and Humboldt have one loss each. Webster City suffered its second NCC loss on Thursday, falling to CG-D.

St. Edmond, which was celebrating five seniors on Senior Night, played strong in the early going of Game 1, fighting to a 6-6 tie. The Wildcats then went on a 12-1 run to take an 18-7 lead.

“We hit well from anywhere on the court,” McDaniel said. “We are balanced as well with everyone being able to hit the ball.”

Clark led the Wildcats with 10 kills and 12 digs as well.

Jori Hajek had eight kills and Varangkounh added six. Carlie Thompson was the digs leader with 24. Hajek had 18 and Denny McDaniel added 14 and had 33 assists in the packed and loud Gael gym.

“It’s always a loud place to play,” McDaniel said. “It was great to be able to experience this atmosphere as we get ready for the postseason.”

It was a different story in Game 2 as the Wildcats trailed 1-0, but built a 20-3 lead before closing the door.

“They are a very good team,” said St. Edmond assistant coach Josephine Alstott, who was filling in for head coach Dee Huss who was at a funeral. “We played with them in the third game and started to get our confidence going.”

Josie Huss had 27 hits and six kills, while Cambrie McBride had 16 and three kills Isabel Woodhouse had eight hits.

In Game 3 Humboldt built a 10-7 lead and the Gaels cut to to two at one point in the match. Humboldt went on a 6-0 lead (18-10). St. Edmond closed out the game on a 7-2 run.

Seniors Maggie Conrad, Milena Naughton, McBride, Woodhouse and Huss played their final home games for the Gaels.

“These five seniors have meant so much to this team,” Alstott said. “Josie and Cambrie have been solid leaders, who are able to come up with a lot of plays. Isabell has been solid.

“Milena and Maggie have produced coming off the bench.”

The St. Edmond freshmen lost 21-1 and 21-7. The junior varsity lost 9-21 and 5-15 in the first and third game, while winning Game 2 21-9.

The Gaels are back in action on Saturday when they take part in the Hampton-Dumont tournament.

Humboldt will play in the Mason City tournament on Saturday. The Wildcats remaining NCC game is at Webster City. The Cowgirls will travel to Algona.