BISMARCK — Ahead of Friday afternoon's North Dakota Division A state semifinal, second-seeded May-Port-C-G knew it had to find a way to slow senior Izzy Thompson.

Third-seeded Central Cass knew it had to contend with junior Paetyn Strand.

Thompson and Strand still both managed to lead their team in kills.

The difference, though, was the Patriots' supporting cast.

May-Port-C-G beat the Squirrels in three sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-18), earning a spot in Saturday's championship game at the Bismarck Event Center with its second straight sweep of the tournament.

"I’m really excited," Kennedy O'Connor said. "This is the best way I think I could’ve ended my season as a senior."

The Patriots will play fourth-seeded Valley City at 5:30 p.m. for the Division A title.

It's the second time in thre

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