In front of a packed crowd, the third-seeded Ladycats controlled the match most of the evening, finishing with a 3-0 victory (25-19, 25-22, 25-16) over the second-seeded and M&O Conference champion Lady Badgers.

With the victory, Florence advances to the regional final to face Northern Lakes Conference rival and top-seeded Laona-Wabeno tonight at Wabeno High School.

“We just kept them on their heels,” Florence coach Teresa Chrisman said. “They couldn’t get a good pass to their setter off our hits, so I felt like they never had an opportunity to set up their offense.

From the Niagara point of view, the outcome stung.

Morgan Tomczak (15) smacks a shot by Badger defenders Mallory Sanicki (23) and Morgan Borchardt (13) during Thursday’s varsity matchup in Niagara. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

“They came prepared and their front line put the ball down,” Niagara coach Carol St. Arnauld said. “We didn’t play our best volleyball, but my girls battled. Florence has a good team.”

The Ladycats rode the hot hand of senior outside hitter Morgan Tomczak throughout the match. Tomczak finished 22 kills while dominating at net. Sophomore Kamdan Johnson put down nine kills and starred on defense, finishing with 20 digs.

“What really impressed me was the back-row play of Kamdan Johnson,” Chrisman said. “She really stepped up with hustling and going after the ball.”

Leah Young added 17 digs in the winning effort and provided six aces. Niagara also posted six blocks as a team.

“Just an impressive win for these girls,” added Chrisman, who complimented Niagara on its successful season. “I’ve been preaching all year we need to believe in ourselves. It’s time for us to get over that Laona-Wabeno hump.”

Niagara’s Eric Lukowicz (9) tries to go up and tip a shot over a Florence defender for a point during Thursday’s WIAA Division 4 regional semifinal at Niagara High School. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

With the defeat, seniors Morgan Borchardt, Abby Wells and Eric Lukowicz played their final game for the Lady Badgers. Borchardt finished with 14 assists, eight kills, six digs, two blocks and two aces. Wells recorded 11 digs and five assists and Lukowicz posted 11 digs, five kills and three assists.

Mallory Sanicki topped Niagara in kills with 11.

St. Arnauld commented on her seniors and the returnees to next year’s squad.

“I would like to thank our seniors for an amazing season,” St. Arnauld began. “Morgan has been a four-year varsity starter and has been an amazing setter for this team. Abby has played three years on varsity and has done an outstanding job in the back row. Erin Lukowicz is a returning starter and really did well on the outside.

“Beyond the seniors, I would like to wish all the underclassman well. There is a lot of talent in this group, and I know that they will do well.”

It is expected that Thursday’s match was the final one in the career of the highly regard St. Arnauld.

“I will miss seeing Coach St Arnauld on the sidelines,” Chrisman said. “She has had an impact on a lot of young women, and I respect her tremendously.”

Admission for the regional final at Wabeno is $6 for all students and adults. The match is set for a 7 p.m. start.