Tyler Kass is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saint Mary's High School for AZPreps365.com

St. Mary’s edged its 4A conference Desert Sky region rivals Seton Catholic Prep 3-2 on Tuesday. 

This was an important win for the Knights (9-7) as Seton sat just two spots ahead of them at 15th in this week's 4A team rankings entering the match.

This was the second meeting between these schools. The Sentinels (7-9) came out on top in their previous four-set home meeting against the Knights, which sought redemption in Tuesday's rematch on Senior Night.

“Just win,” St. Mary's senior captain setter Olivia Castillo said. “It’s our Senior Night so obviously it was our goal to win…we’re just completely motivated, didn’t want to step off the gas.”

Seton initially had the momentum as it dominated the first set. 

The Knights were off their game, making many attacking and mental errors that cost them. At one point, the Sentinels led 18-11 and eventually took the set 25-20 behind an all-around strong defensive effort. 

Even after a slow start to the second set, the Knights did not let the struggles get to them. Seton started out where they left off, coming out to a 7-2 run, but the Knights quickly came back to even the score at seven. They gained the lead and won the set 25-20 to even the match, 1-1.

St. Mary's continued its commanding lead in the third set and led 14-1 at one point. However, Seton came out on top in a close fourth set. It was back and forth until the Sentinels went on a run at the end to pull away in a 25-20 victory and tie the match at two.

St. Mary's senior captains and outside hitter Shelbie Lemm and Bridget O’Sullivan refused to take a loss.

Lemm and O’Sullivan finished the match with 14 and 12 kills each, and Lemm added four aces, and two blocks. The Knights' other major contributors included sophomore outside hitter Mylee Mcdowell, who had three aces, and sophomore middle hitter Emily Madigan who had five kills. 

Lemm had the game-winning block in the final set to win it 15-10 to clinch th victory.

“I’ve always kind of had the drive to win every game,” Lemm said. “I’m competitive and I like to win.”

After the match, senior outside hitter felt as though coming out victorious was a huge confidence booster for the team. 

“This kind of helps motivate us because we know what we can do,” said O’Sullivan. “We know what we can accomplish in the fifth set and get it done”

This victory kept the Knight’s playoff hopes alive

By winning this game the Knights were able to “keep fighting for a spot in playoffs and playing a home play-in game,” Castillo said.

The Knights close out their regular season at Saguaro on Thursday at 6 p.m.