LAFAYETTE, La. — For one set Thursday evening at the Cajundome, South Lafourche had the five-time defending Division II champions on the ropes. Then No. 1 St. Thomas More found its footing.
The ninth-seeded Tarpons jumped on the Cougars and took the opening set 25-15 in the Division II state quarterfinals. St. Thomas More answered 25-19 in the second, pulled away 25-15 in the third and closed the match with a 25-7 fourth set to advance.
The second set was the turning point. Cougars coach Jessica Burke said her team needed time to settle into the big arena. Once it did, St. Thomas More controlled the net and the back row the rest of the way. The win was the 600th of Burke’s career.
Morgan Dunn led St. Thomas More with 17 kills, and Mallory Franklin added 13 kills and four blocks. Clare Thomson ran the offense with 36 assists, 22 digs and two aces. Madeline Blanchard dug 20 balls and Lauren Froehlich posted six blocks.
South Lafourche finishes 22-18. The Tarpons swept Leesville in the bi-district round and beat Ben Franklin 3-1 on the road in the regional round to make it to Lafayette for the second straight year.
St. Thomas More, chasing a sixth straight Division II title, meets crosstown rival Teurlings Catholic in Friday’s semifinals at 1:40 p.m.
