Shamrocks clinch first semifinal bid

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Playing in its third sectional championship in five years, St. Patrick was trying to do something no other volleyball team in school history had done: qualify for the state quarterfinals.

The Shamrocks, winners of 18 straight, fulfilled their goal as they defeated Oak Park 26-24, 25-22 to claim the St. Ignatius Sectional title Tuesday night.

St. Patrick (29-5) used the arm of outside hitter John Coen in the first set as his nine kills kept the team in a seesaw battle with the Huskies (19-7). The Shamrock’s Adam Klauss ripped an ace down the middle of the court to end the game.

St. Patrick did not go to Coen as often to start the second game, a strategy that paid off with a sectional championship.

‘‘We noticed that they were doubling John every time he touched the ball, so we wanted to spread the ball a little bit and give him an opportunity to come back and be as successful later in the second set,’’ St. Patrick coach Joel Anderson said.

Mark Brady had 12 kills and middle hitter Ben Keller added 10 kills for the Huskies.