CONRAD — St. Edmond put together one of the program’s more memorable volleyball runs in recent memory this year.

The Gaels (19-12 overall) closed the season with more victories than the last 17 years, and had their first double-digit win total since 17 in the 2017-18 school year.

The run ended for the Gaels in the Class 1A, Region 5 semifinal on Monday in straight sets to No. 6 BCLUW. Scores were 25-20, 25-22 and 25-14.

“I’m super blessed and honored to have coached these girls this season,” said first-year SEHS head coach Heather Seeden. “They have been a focused group. I can’t say enough about them.

“I’m going to miss seeing them at 3:15 every day, and I’m sad our season is over.”

“It was a great season and they’ve been a pleasure to coach.”

The first two sets were tight, but early deficits were too much for the Gaels to overcome.

“We got down in both of those games off the bat,” Seeden said. “We were behind 8-0 in the opener. We got some momentum, but couldn’t finish and in the third set we couldn’t get that momentum back.”

This was the last time in a Gael uniform for seniors Sasha Hess, Claire O’Connor, Lauren Gibb, Mariah Myers and Cecilia Galvan.

“I was their fifth coach in five years, so I felt I had to try and create a culture and establish some consistency,” Seeden said. “There were some bumps along the way, because we had to create some boundaries, but I’m confident with the girls that return, they’ll now know what expectations will be.

“The parents have shown support. It’s been a privilege to coach this team.”

Hess was the school’s all-time digs leader. She had 1,196 going into Monday’s match.

“Sasha just blew the career digs record out of the water,” Seeden said. “She is a great volleyball player, and her leadership and skill set is the standard for the girls behind her.”

O’Connor was second on St. Edmond’s all-time assist charts with 1,646 heading into Monday’s game.

“Claire really matured as a senior, and has been a floor captain and worked hard in the offseason,” Seeden said.

Gibb led the Gaels in blocks this season with 32 going into the match against BCLUW.

“Lauren has always been an outside hitter and transitioned to middle hitter,” Seeden said. “She went crazy with blocks, and her energy is incredible. She showed dominance at the net.

“I’m proud of her for stepping into that role.”

Myers had 290 kills before Monday’s matchup.

“Mariah is a great athlete as an outside hitter,” Seeden said. “It’s so important to have that kind of talent and power.”

Galvan played a big part for the junior varsity squad.

“Cecilia was disciplined and focused in practice,” Seeden said. ‘She was very coachable and filled a key role on the JV team.”