SIOUX FALLS – The defending champs are back in the biggest match in Class B volleyball.

The Warner Monarchs came out sharp from the beginning and claimed a 25-20, 25-15, 25-11 semifinal victory over Wolsey-Wessington during the state tournament Friday evening at the Premier Center.

Unlike a sluggish start during an opening round win on Thursday, the Monarchs were ready from the get go against Wolsey-Wessington.

“I think the kids just really got settled in later in the match (Thursday), and they felt comfortable from the start here,” said Warner coach Kari Jung. “They motivate each other.”

The Monarchs had it all going featuring a variety of hitting, solid serving and timely blocking.

“They’re the number one team in the state, the number one team coming into this tournament,” said Wolsey-Wessington coach Lindy Uttecht. “They have a great program. They have a great reputation. They have a great coach.”

And on this occasion, they had great focus from the opening serve.

The first set was tied at 10-10 before the Monarchs reeled off five straight points, a pair coming on kills by Kyra Marcuson, who later put an exclamation point on the first set with another kill.

Marcuson continued to hammer shots down the line in the second set as Warner opened a two-set lead.

“Line defense is a lot more tricky because you’re kind of closer up to the people, so when they hit line sharp, hard, it’s kind of hard to get your hands above as soon,” Marcuson said.

While Marcuson is used to hitting that shot, it came with a purpose against the Warbirds, who featured 6-foot-4 blocker Mallory Miller in the middle.

“We were trying to avoid the big blocks, so I went line usually when Mallory was up there, because that’s a big block up there,” Marcuson said. “And when she wasn’t up there, I tried to go cross a little more, just because it was open.”

Marcuson also did some damage with a few softer kills as well on the way to a match-leading 13 kills.

“She also had a couple of nice little taps over the top,” Jung said. “I told her you’ve got to keep placing them tonight. You hit the same shot, they’re easy to defend. She did a great job there.”

Marcuson was the recipient of spot-on sets from Ava Nilsson, who finished the 32 assists. Nilsson is also a threat to score at any moment.

“We were trying to watch (Marcuson). We heard she was kind of their main hitter and definitely watch out for Ava Nilsson’s dumps,” said Wolsey-Wessington Libero Lainey Uttecht. “It’s really hard to watch both.”

The Monarchs once again pulled away from a 10-10 tie in the final set, scoring 15 of the final 16 points to finish off the sweep.

Warner held the Warbirds to just 19 total kills in the contest, largely because of its blocking which produced 12 assists on the night.

“I felt like we had a good block, partly because they hit so hard, so they’re tighter balls to the net,” Jung said. “I think we do better with that.”

Warner’s blocking did not come as a surprise to the Warbirds, but it was effective nonetheless.

“A lot of times we were in the right spot to cover our hitters, we just weren’t down and ready,” Coach Uttecht said. “We talked about they’re going to be big at the net and we know that they’re going to get touches on the balls.”

Mya Boomsma, Leah Williams and Miller each had six kills to lead Wolsey-Wessington, which is playing in its first state volleyball tournament in program history.

“It’s pretty cool to be here, just like our whole crowd. I’m glad our student section kind of got fired up and started cheering,” Lainey Uttecht said. “I’m just glad to see our home town here, because I know it’s kind of a long drive.”

The Warbirds, 29-5 on the season, came into the tourney as the fifth seed. They will face Burke in the third place match at 5 tonight.

“We’ve already made history with the school just getting here and getting that first win,” Coach Uttecht said, “and no matter what we’re going to go home higher than what we came in as.”

Lauren Marcuson and Kyleigh Schopp each added seven kills to the Warner total.

The Monarchs, winners of 18 straight matches, will take on Chester Area for the state championship around 6:45 tonight.

“I love the feeling of playing in a state championship. And to win, it’s even better,” Kyra Marcuson said. “The crowd here and all the energy going through the gym is just fantastic.”

Serving: Wolsey-Wessington 2 aces (Mya Boomsma 1, Emree White 1); Warner 6 aces (Jordyn Jensen 3, Ava Nilsson 1, Lauren Marcuson 1, Kamryn Anderson 1).

Hitting: Wolsey-Wessington 19 kills (Boomsma 6, Mallory Miller 6, Leah Williams 6); Warner 41 kills (Kyra Marcuson 14, L. Marcuson 7, Kyleigh Schopp 7).

Setting: Wolsey-Wessington 15 assists (Payton Kemnitz 6, Taylor Horn 4); Warner 41 assists (Nilsson 32).

Digs: Wolsey-Wessington 36 (Lainey Uttecht 15, Williams 7, Boomsma 6); Warner 58 (Courtney Bjorgaard 11, Nilsson 10, L. Marcuson 8, Anderson 8).

Blocks: Wolsey-Wessington 1 solo 8 assists (Miller 1 solo 3 assists, White 2 assists, Horn 2 assists); Warner 1 solo 12 assists (Nilson 1 solo 3 assists, Schopp 3, Kendyl Anderson 3, Kamryn Anderson 3).

Records: Wolsey-Wessington 29-5; Warner 36-2.