LAFAYETTE — No. 5 Sam Houston tried to make a move in the third set, but Slidell rallied behind junior Raegan Robinson and Demoni Lewis to complete the sweep, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19, on Thursday at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state volleyball tournament at the Cajundome.

Robinson had a match-high 21 kills and Lewis finished with 10.

Sam Houston led 17-15 in the third set on a kill by Addison Melendy, but the Tigers kept setting up Robinson and Lewis on the right side. The Tigers went on a 6-0 run and took the lead for good on a kill by Lewis, who smashed the ball through the Broncos’ double block.

“We made a lot of blocking errors, timing, position, static versus swing,” Sam Houston head coach Rene Fontenot said. “We did not run enough of an offense. We were on defense the whole time. We were not effective in running our office.”

Fontenot said it wasn’t the noise inside the Cajundome that got to the Broncos. Instead, it was stress and led to the Broncos falling behind 3-0 in the first set.

“I think it was a better mindset,” Fontenot said. “They were playing stressed out in sets one and two and not enjoying the points we did win.

“I felt like they were crumbling under the pressure. I was worried about the noise, but that really wasn’t it. It was kind of the indecision.”

After going 35-8, the Broncos will return four starters next season.

“It was a great year with great kids,” Fontenot said. “They have had to battle against a lot of things this season and have done that well.

“We played with altered lineups in tournaments and the playoffs, and we still did well. We have some seasoned kids that are coming into their junior and senior year. I think they will be great leaders. It will be their turn to lead.”

Sam Houston never led in the first two sets but did tie the second set at 9-9.

The Broncos opened the third set with a 4-1 lead and led 11-7 before the Tigers went on an 8-4 run to force a 15-15 time. Sam Houston retook the lead on a powerful shot from the right side by Aubrey Portie. Portie led Sam Houston with 13 kills, while Ava Henry finished with nine.

Slidell (36-5) will play No. 1 Dominican (39-2) today at 3:30 p.m. in the Division I semifinals.

Slidell 25-25-25

Sam Houston 17-19-19

Sam Houston (35-8): Aubrey Portie (13 kills), Ava Henry (9 kills), Mallory Wills (4 blocks), Kat Manuel (2 aces, 26 assists), Addison Melendy (10 digs), Bailey Foolkes (14 digs). Slidell (36-5): Raegan Robinson (21 kills, 2 aces, 14 digs), Demoni Lewis (10 kills), Ava Labat (35 assists).