SAN MARCOS, Texas – It was the close match Highland Park expected – and the finish it wanted.

It'll also be a finish Hannah Peterson won't forget.

Peterson, an unsung offensive hero, recorded back-to-back kills in the deciding fifth game to help Highland Park defeat Lake Travis, 25-20, 15-25, 25-20, 24-26, 17-15, in the UIL Class 4A volleyball state semifinals Thursday at Texas State University's Strahan Coliseum.

The match was much more competitive than the teams' first meeting in August. Highland Park beat Lake Travis easily, 25-17, 25-13, at the Justin Northwest tournament.

Peterson, who had five of her 12 kills in the final game, took advantage of Lake Travis (37-10) keying in on Katherine Culwell, an Auburn signee who recorded 19 kills and 22 digs.

"I told [setter] Shelby [Bessellieu] to use Hannah more because I was getting tired," Culwell said. "We used her two times in a row, and now we're in the state finals. It's unreal."

"We did not get [Peterson] involved in the offense near as much as we wanted to, mainly because they were triple-blocking in the middle," Highland Park coach Michael Dearman added. "Down the stretch, she came up huge for us."

Highland Park called a timeout after falling behind, 11-9. Highland Park tied the score at 12 with kills by Culwell and Laurel Pugliese.

"Our goal is to win state," Peterson said. "If we lost, our goal was done. We just realized what we had to do, and we fought for it."

Culwell's final kill gave Highland Park a 14-13 lead and its first match point.

BOB PEARSON / Special to DMN

Hope Ogden (left) and Laurel Pugliese rise for a block during Highland Park's down-to- the-wire Class 4A state semifinal victory over Lake Travis.

Lake Travis, behind Elissa Underwood's kills, fought off two match points but couldn't shake Highland Park's third attempt.

"This is amazing. We're one game away now," Peterson said. Highland Park will play Hereford for the 4A title on Saturday. Hereford beat Magnolia in three games.

Bushland d. Pottsboro, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16: Christina Steinkruger slammed 16 kills and added 10 assists as defending state champion Bushland (31-13) advanced to Saturday's Class 2A title match against Wallis Brazos.

Wallis Brazos (34-10), a 12-time tournament qualifier, upset Centerville 25-21, 29-27, 22-25, 19-25, 21-19.

Bushland (31-13) rallied from a five-point deficit in the first game to win and controlled the rest of the match. Courtni Bauer had 17 kills and Reagan Hayes added 13 for Pottsboro (36-6).

3 p.m. Saturday

Highland Park (39-8): Highland Park will play for its first state championship. Auburn signee Katherine Culwell had 19 kills and 22 digs in the win. Hannah Peterson had 12 kills, including the team's final three to win the match.

Hereford (44-3): The Region I champion defeated Magnolia, 25-18, 30-28, 25-19, in the semifinals. Raegan Shelton had 11 kills and Andee Josserand had 10. Lauren Beville finished with 19 digs.