The Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship match featured a Mount de Sales squad trying to maintain a perfect season and a Seton Keough club playing in the conference tournament final for the first time.

As expected, defending champion Mount de Sales prevailed, 25-15, 25-12, 25-18, at Roland Park Country School, thanks to a fast-paced offense orchestrated by setters Kacy Wesselman and Chelsea Owensby.

The Sailors also enjoyed the hitting and passing of Katie Buck and Hannah Schmidt in the overwhelming championship run.

Buck had 19 kills and 18 digs and Schmidt contributed 13 kills and a season-high 14 digs in the convincing final.

"They have a fantastic team all across the board," Seton Keough coach SJ Greenway said.

Seton Keough (12-7) has now lost to de Sales (20-0) three times this season, taking only one game during the process.

The two area rivals could hook up again in the Maryland/D.C Private School tournament (which began this week, too late for this edition).

If top-seeded Mount de Sales beats eighth-seeded St. John's, D.C. and fifth-seeded Seton Keough tops fourth-seeded Maryland School for the Deaf, the Sailors and Gators will meet at Mount de Sales Academy at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The championship game is slated for 6:30 p.m., Nov. 12, at the same site.

And that could mean trouble for opponents of the Sailors, who are clicking on all cylinders with a slew of multi-dimensional players.

"They are so well-rounded," coach Monica Owensby said. "It doesn't matter who is in, they are going to do something to help the team."

Schmidt and Buck thrived in the faster offense the kept Seton Keough's Adama Aja from getting into a blocking rhythm in the final.

"They ran a very fast offense, and ran it to perfection," Greenway said.

The most consistent passer and hitter for the Gators was senior Janahye Johnson.

"She had an excellent game," Greenway said. "She really, really passed fabulously."

Sailor libero Sam Shetterly was also crisp in the passing department, along with Schmidt, who proved her coach was on to something when she asked the youngster to become an all-around player at the beginning of the season.

"Hannah has been in the shadows of Katie Buck, but she enjoys it and plays even harder." Owensby said.

Seton Keough's downfall began with some shaky passing, although that didn't stop senior setter Ashley Eckhart from hustling all over the court.

"She was able to set everything." Owensby said. "She really surprised me."

According to Greenway, a large, boisterous crowd also was a factor in the Gators' demise.

"Our girls were tight," Greenway said. "They were nervous."

The Sailors, who won the prestigious Bulldog Invitational in September, were much more relaxed.

"They are able to handle themselves in stressful situations," Owensby said. "They are able to regroup in a moment."

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