Kylie Smith recorded four serving aces as part of Warsaw’s 3-0 win over Elkhart Saturday morning in the semi-finals of the Warsaw Volleyball Sectional. InkFreeNews photo by Mike Deak

Warsaw 3, Elkhart 0

The third time was a charm for Warsaw, beating Elkhart 26-24, 25-13, 25-17 to advance to Saturday night’s Warsaw Volleyball Sectional championship.

In the third meeting between the two teams, to which they split in a pair of tournaments at Mishawaka and LaPorte, it looked like a five-setter was brewing. Elkhart led 24-21 with the serve, but a service error gave Warsaw the ball back, to which Kaylee Weeks had one of her top moments of the season. Weeks hammered three kills in a row, the third a lefty changeup to give Warsaw a stunning game one rally, which both ignited the hosts and deflated the visitors.

Weeks would come out of the matchup the kills leader for the Tigers with 11, followed by Kennedy Lauck with nine and seven each from Betty Barnett and Abby Sanner.

“Kennedy Lauck actually got a little lightheaded in the first set, and needed a break, so it was Kaylee’s time to shine,” said Warsaw head coach Chandra Hepler. “They had a small right side block, and I think we really took advantage. That’s a kid who plays with heart. She is a baller, she really stepped up in those moments. Katie McKibben also made that happen, when she went back to serve when Kennedy came out. She made a couple big plays defensively.”

Kylie Smith also had a huge game against the Lions, posting a team-leading 19 digs along with four aces and a pair of assists. Kendra Love combined for 21 digs and four aces, and Elizabeth Schmidt chipped in 13 digs. Avery Hales had 39 assists, 14 digs, two kills and two aces.

“Having that momentum to sweep Elkhart in three after not playing in over a week, I think the girls are really confident,” Hepler said.

In game two, Penn punched its ticket to the finals with a resounding 3-0 sweep of Northridge. The Kingsmen took care of business 25-12, 25-15, 25-15. The Warsaw (22-8) versus Penn (28-5) matchup will begin at 7 p.m.

NorthWood 3, Tippecanoe Valley 0

NorthWood (25-7) got back to business in a resounding 25-20, 25-12, 25-11 victory over host Tippecanoe Valley in Saturday’s first contest on Rita Price Simpson Court.

Alea Minnich returned with a fury for the Panthers, hammering 15 kills after missing the past two weeks on contact tracing. Ali Knepp and Bre Wise each added seven kills and a block apiece. Macy Lengacher added 26 digs and six aces, and Kendal Miller led the setup with 33 assists.

Valley sees its season end at 13-14 overall. In their final games in the green and gold, Delaney Wagoner had nine kills and three aces, Hannah Engstrand had 11 digs and 18 assists, Ashley Butler had nine digs and Hayley Backus added two blocks.

Wawasee 3, Lakeland 1

The Lady Warriors withstood a mighty challenge from Lakeland to escape with a 25-22, 15-25, 30-28, 26-24 victory to advance to the sectional championship.

Emma Dippon and Dylan Konieczny teamed for 35 kills to lead the Wawasee attack, and Amanda Allen sent up 47 assists. Elizabeth Miller had 19 digs and both Leslie Vazquez and Bailey Mayhew recorded 15 digs.

The Tippecanoe Valley sectional championship is set for 7 p.m.

Triton 3, Argos 0

The host Trojans had no trouble advancing to the sectional championship at the Trojan Trench, rolling over Argos 25-9, 25-12, 25-8.

Stats from the Triton contest were not immediately supplied.

West Central (7-18) emerged from the second game as a winner, taking out Culver 25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23 to make the championship game at Triton. Final is set for 7 p.m. against the Trojans.

Pioneer 3, Lakeland Christian Academy 0

Pioneer (25-3) advanced to the championship match of its own sectional. Stats for the match were not provided.

Northfield (27-1) defeated Caston in the second contest 25-13, 25-13, 25-11 to advance to the sectional championship against the Panthers.