Northlake Christian School (23-9) grabbed its fourth consecutive undefeated district title by sweeping sweeping the St. Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcons 25-14, 25-11, 25-14 Tuesday at home.

The Lady Wolverines, no stranger to district titles, turned in a solid team effort to finish 4-0 in district play in the three-team district.

NCS recognized its four seniors Emily Miller, Hannah Miranda, Monica Raymond and Jenny O’Rear along with their parents prior to the match. Assistant coach Jimmy Miranda was also recognized in the ceremony and was presented with an autographed volleyball.

NCS’ Monica Raymond rips a kill attempt past St. Thomas Aquinas’ Casey Buie (1) during Tuesday’s final district match played at NCS. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

Miranda and Raymond continued their dominant play to spark the Lady Wolverines. Miranda took charge in game one blasting five consecutive points including an ace to propel the Lady Wolverines to an early advantage. Miranda, the Lady Wolverines’ model of consistency, fashioned 33 assists with eight kills, seven digs and an impressive seven aces.

Miranda said her team was able to achieve their goal of winning a fourth consecutive district title.

“It’s definitely a goal that every team strives for. I’m honored to be a part of a team that has won it four years in a row. I think it sets a good standard for the teams that are going to follow behind us. It’s exciting and it’s something we don’t take lightly,” Miranda said.

Miranda said playing at NCS since the eighth grade being recognized as a senior was really special.

“It’s kind of surreal that it is actually my senior year. I’m excited for what the future holds, but I love this team and being a part of what we have done and the success we have ha,” Miranda added.

Miranda credited the team’s younger players with stepping up their level of play.

“They have picked it up so much. It is unbelievable. In the beginning of the year we weren’t half the team we are now. They have gotten confidence and that is the difference,” the senior co-captain said.

Raymond, the Lady Wolverines’ other team captain and dominant hitter, stroked two kills during the run and finished with a match high 19 kills. Raymond also generated 13 digs and an ace.

Sophomore Mary Wilson contributed solid all-around play with 12 assists, six digs, four kills and an ace. Miller chipped in with 10 digs, four kills and two aces, while sophomore libero netted a match-high 14 digs. Molly Boyer finished with three kills and three digs. Angela Barrios had two kills with a dig.

St. Thomas Aquinas (23-13) finished district play at 2-2. With NCS leading 11-5 in game one, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Brittany Brumfield served two points. Miranda pounded a kill assisted by Wilson to regain serve. The Lady Falcons’ Madison Crossie clicked on two points to make it 12-10, but NCS regained the momentum and leading 23-14 Raymond served two points on Miranda consecutive kills to take game one 25-14.

Raymond talked about being recognized before the match.

“I can’t think of the last time when I thought it would be me up there being the senior. It was really exciting. We came out with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. We were ready to play. It was a fun night,” Raymond said.

Raymond highlighted the play of some of the Lady Wolverines’ younger players.

“Just in the last month they have come so far. This is a completely different team from earlier in the year,” Raymond added.

Raymond said her team is playing with total confidence to take state for a third time.

The Lady Wolverines, the two-time defending state champs in Division V, are well on their way to giving it a shot to repeat as champions.

Miranda in almost like an instant replay of game one opened game two with five straight points coming on two aces as the Lady Falcons were unable to handle her jump serve.

STA bounced back and trailed 7-5 following two points by Casey Buie on two consecutive kills by Jessie Willis.

NCS held a 13-8 advantage following three straight points Wilson on three straight unforced errors. After an STA unforced error, Emily Miller put down a kill and Miranda ran off three straight points for a 17-9 lead. Miller closed out game two with five consecutive points including two aces as Raymond knocked down two straight kills to win game two 25-11.

Holding to the strong starts to open games, Miranda netted three points with an ace to start game three. A Raymond kill later made the score 4-2 and the Lady Wolverines’ McLain strung together five points with an ace to build a 9-2 margin. Raymond produced three kills and O’Rear netted one during the five-point run.

NCS kept up its tempo and took a 13-8 lead. Wilson continued the Lady Wolverines’ strong serving connecting on four serves with an ace to increase the advantage to 17-8. With St. Thomas Aquinas trailing 24-15, the Lady Falcons’ Crossie scored on a perfectly placed dink, but NCS’ Barrios closed out game three with a kill assisted by Wilson.

St. Thomas Aquinas coach Jennifer Hebert described Northlake Christian as an amazing team.

“They are so experienced and you can tell that they work well together. They know what the setter (Mirande) is going to do. They are very, very hard to defend,” Hebert said.

St. Thomas Aquinas played the match without middle hitter Brooke Balser, who was out with an injury.

“We lost a lot of experience with her being out. Just in the last week, we have had to kind of rebuild late in the season. We pulled up some younger players who have had to come in and hit,” Hebert added.

NCS’ Miller shared her thoughts on being recognized before the match.

“It was exciting to be recognized, but it is also sad because we have all been together since like our eighth grade year. This is my last year playing volleyball because I’m not going to play in college like Hannah (Miranda) or Monica (Raymond) is. I just want to give it my all because I love this sport. I want to enjoy every second of it, while it lasts,” Miller said.

Miller said the pressure was on them to keep going to win another district title. “We’ve had such a successful four years and it is awesome. With two state championships, I couldn’t ask for anything more. We are continuing to work so hard to win a third one. It is such a blessing to be on this team. They are so awesome and I love each and everyone of them,” Miller added.

O’Rear, a four-sport athlete with the Lady Wolverines, said she was excited about the senior recognition.

“I was ready to play to get another win. Being district champs again put the icing on the cake. This is my first year back since the eighth grade,” O’Rear said.

O’Rear, who described herself as a speed demon, said her favorite sport is basketball.

“Defense is my specialty. We have a lot of volleyball left, but I’m also looking forward to basketball season starting,” O’Rear added.

O’Rear also plays softball and runs track.