“The girls were really into it from the beginning,” Mills noted. “Our energy level was high. Plus, we got out to that early lead. When we did that, the girls relaxed.”

The second game stayed closer for a brief time. Sullivan was within 7-4 when the Lady Shoes went on an 11-1 surge to open an 18-5 bulge and coasted to the match victory.

“Most matches come down to serving and serve receive,” Mills explained. “If we do those two things well, we usually play well. We’re pretty good offensively. Plus, we’ve been working hard on positioning. Against the good teams, you have to be in the right position.”

Erica Michels had four more kills in the second game.

“Erica just lets it go,” Mills said. “She wants the ball, and when she gets, she’s going to mash it. She really hit the ball well tonight, plus our setting and passing was good. And that always helps.”

For the match, Kelsey Deters had 9 digs, 1 hit, 1 point, 31 sets, 20 assists; Holly Heuerman 8 digs, 1 point, 1 set; Emily Konkel 1 block, 1 dig, 2 hits, 2 aces, 4 points, 1 set; Carly Michels 2 digs, 17 hits, 11 kills, 4 aces, 6 points; Erica Michels 4 digs, 14 hits, 9 kills, 5 aces, 12 points; Ciara Roepke 7 digs, 5 hits, 2 kills, 1 ace, 7 points, 8 sets, 2 assists; and Kaitlyn Schumacher 1 hit.

Tonight, the Lady Shoes will face Paris, a team Mills describes as “solid.”

“They will be a real test for us. They deserve the No. 2 seed,” he said. “We will have to play our A game. It should be a good volleyball match.”

In the second contest Monday, Vandalia beat Salem by scores of 25-19, 25-20.

So tonight, T-Town will play Paris at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Vandalia-Pana matchup at 6:30 p.m.

The two winners will then play for the regional championship at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The regional winner will advance to the Salem Sectional.