GILBERT – The 14th-ranked (Class 2A) South Hamilton volleyball team picked up the signature victory its been searching for all fall on the final night of the regular season here last night.

Not a bad way to get ready for the postseason.

Behind a powerful blocking performance and 13 service aces, the Hawks rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take out ninth-ranked (3A) Gilbert in four sets, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.

The victory gave South Hamilton (22-5, 6-2 HOIC) outright possession of third place in the Heart of Iowa Conference. Gilbert (25-8, 5-3 HOIC) had to settle for fourth.

Ady Wintermote blistered 25 kills in the victory, but Gilbert held her in check relatively well. She put up a .230 kill efficiency, well below her season average.

But the Hawks made up for it with their defense at net in the form of 21 solo blocks. Alissa Moss collected seven of them and Chloe Barkema added six. Alissa Moss also piled up 32 assists, 10 more than teammate Taylor Volkmann (22).

Behind the service line, Anna Moss swatted six aces, while Katie Johnson and Volkmann contributed three each. Anna Moss led the Hawks defensively in the back row with 16 digs.

South Hamilton will begin its postseason trek at home against Eagle Grove on Tuesday. The 2A regional first-round match will get underway at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to face Panorama in a quarterfinal on Monday, Oct. 24, back in Jewell at 7 p.m.