MUNSTER | Hobart wanted nothing more than to knock Munster from its perch in the Northwest Crossroads Conference on Tuesday night.
The host Mustangs had different thoughts, sweeping the Brickies 25-12, 25-14, 25-17.
Munster remained unbeaten in conference play and clinched the NCC title. The Mustangs improved to 22-5 with two weeks left in the regular season.
"We didn't come to play," Hobart coach Kristi Hoese said. "We didn't play our game. We just have to better ourselves."
Both teams played in pink uniforms for Munster's second annual Kills Against Cancer match. Fans could pledge any amount of money for the total number of kills on the night, which topped out at 31.
"Every person in the audience has been touched by cancer in some way," Munster coach Tracy Summers said. "We're really all in this fight together."
Munster tallied far more kills than Hobart (16-10, 7-4).
Junior outside hitter Shannon Farrell had 11 kills, including three straight at the end of the third game to seal the victory for Munster. She had a line shot, a tip kill and a kill on an overpass during that run. Elizabeth Kloos added six blocks and eight kills, including two in a row late in the third game.
"Tonight I saw that we were having fun," senior right side hitter Nadia Radowick said. "We're starting to click on the court."
Summers understands the importance of her team coming together late in the season.
"We need to keep unlocking our potential so we peak going into sectionals," she said. "We are still working on our mental focus in all situations and working to keep our energy.
"I saw some good things. I'm happy with our aggressive serving and our hitting from some different angles."
Tori Foster provided those good things for Munster.
She pounded out a kill from a quick set in the middle, then came back with two straight aces on tough serves to give Munster a 17-9 lead in the third game.
"You can never take Hobart lightly," Radowick said. "Tonight was so great, especially after last year. It was so hard. It's great to have conference back."
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