Olathe ? Free State High got quiet too soon. That was the problem.

The Firebirds were ousted Saturday from the Class 6A regional volleyball tournament by Olathe South, 25-18, 26-28, 12-15, because they clammed up.

Free State hooted and hollered its way to a 24-17 lead in Game Two — one point away from advancing to the state tournament.

And then everything stopped.

“It got real quiet,” junior Megan Wyatt said. “We noticed that, too. The bench said they were screaming, and we looked over and were like, ‘Guys, help us out.’ And they were trying.

“We still had some of the big plays, but we lost the confidence. We lost part of the heart, and that killed us.”

At match point, the Falcons stunned Free State with an 8-0 run, and then it was too late. Olathe South stole Game Two, survived Game Three and sent the Firebirds home in shock.

Hours earlier, Free State (20-19) entered the Olathe East gymnasium on an adrenaline high and blasted through its semifinal match against Topeka High, 25-9, 25-16.

Olathe South ousted Lawrence High earlier, 25-22, 20-25, 15-10, to advance to the finals.

As the Firebirds and Falcons squared off, FSHS held an advantage so loud the walls shook. There was constant chatter on the court and communication was perfect.

The ballyhoo from the bench got louder each time Kristen Baker, Jenny Heppert or Jamie Stanclift pounded a kill. The trio combined with Wyatt, Lacey Malarky and Katelin Karlin for five combo blocks in Game One. That just meant more noise from the bubbly Firebirds.

The success continued in Game Two until match point. Then Free State let its emotional edge stutter, and suddenly it was exposed.

“They started playing more timid and started tipping instead of hitting the ball,” Free State coach Nancy Hopkins said of her team’s letdown. “We started being less aggressive, and when you play timid the other team can tell that.”

Lawrence High (12-25) pushed Olathe South to the brink in their semifinal match, but the Lions allowed the Falcons too many big runs. An 8-1 South run during Game Three was the most damaging.

Another breakthrough performance from junior Bobi Riley (15 kills) almost put the Lions in the finals.

“I’m not going to have to try to motivate these girls (for next year),” Huntsinger said. “They’re very motivated on their own. These girls care a lot about volleyball and would’ve hoped to move on.”