Archbishop Hannan won the first two games, surrendered the third and wrapped up Patrick Taylor Academy of Science & Technology in the fourth game to take a bi-district Division V playoff match victory Thursday night at the Lady Hawks gym.

Hannan dominated the first tilt winning 25-11, scoring nine unanswered points to pull in front 14-5 getting five service aces from Sydney Finch.

The second game was a bit more competitive as the teams traded points until Hannan again charged in front by tallying nine consecutive points to erase an early deficit and take a 13-5 lead before winning 25-16. The third match went to the magnet school team from Jefferson as they won 26-24 coming from behind to force a fourth and final game.

Archbishop Hannan’s Natalie Powell prepares to send the ball across the net supported by Sydney Finch (10) during Thursday’s bi-district round victory over Patrick Taylor. The Lady Hawks advance to tomorrow’s regional round against district foe Ecole Classique in Metairie. (Photo courtesy of Jill Hogan)

In the final contest Hannan took a 25-17 win to advance to the regional round of the playoffs traveling to Metairie to take on Ecole Classique Monday night at 6 o’clock. The Lady Hawks, the district champs with an unbeaten 6-0 record, upped their record to 14-12. Hannan will face off with district foe Ecole, a team they have beaten twice this year.

Hannan coach Jennifer Pujol said she was proud of her team’s effort to advance to the regional round.

“I thought after the first two games we loss some of our intensity and the momentum,” said Lady Hawks’ mentor Pujol.

“They responded well after we took the first two games by coming from behind to take the win.”

Leading the way to victory for the Lady Hawks was senior setter Kimmy Kirsch with 21 assists, 11 service aces and nine digs. Freshman Kim Nilsson pitched in with six kills and a block while Natalie Powell tallied eight kills and a block.

Emily Herrington led Taylor with seven kills and three service aces while Darieo Warner garnered 29 digs. Jenna Zeringue and Shannon Vitrano also helped the Lady Tigers with a couple of blocks and a pair of digs each.

The Lady Tigers, which are just in their second year of varsity competition, and start just one senior while also playing a seventh grader, finished their year at 9-12 hailing from District 8-1A.

“I am proud of my team, they are young and we start just one senior, four sophomores and a seventh grader,” said coach Elmo Steinert. “Hannan is a good team, very competitive and they played well.”

“But the thing I am most proud of from my girls is that each has at least a 4.0 GPA.”