Alyssa Thomas remembers sitting in the stands at the U.S. Cellular Center and watching her sister Brittney help the Marion Indians win the Class 3A state volleyball title.

That was back in 2008, when Alyssa was in the fifth grade.

"I remember being a little person and cheering on TV and looking really stupid," she said Thursday night, laughing. "I just remember watching my sister play. How scared she was and nervous.

"I want to feel that nervousness, too. I love being nervous for volleyball. It's the best feeling."

Thomas helped Marion get a step closer Thursday with a strong performance as the Indians swept Davenport North, 25-17, 25-18, 25-12, in the Class 4A regional semifinals at Marion.

The 10th-ranked Indians (25-15) will face No.7 Davenport Assumption (30-6) in the regional finals Tuesday night in Tipton for a berth in the state tournament.

Marion has been aiming for the state meet all year.

"That's our dream," said Thomas. "We all talk about it. We want to get there so bad. We want to get there and feel the emotion in the gym. It's the best feeling."

Brittney Thomas was named the captain of the all-tournament team in 2008 when Marion defeated Mount Vernon for the Class 3A title. She set numerous records at Marion High School and Mount Mercy University and was in the stands Thursday.

"Every time I see her, I think I want to be just like her," said Alyssa Thomas, a 5-foot-10 sophomore. "I want to be able to say I played just as well as she did."

Thomas began the third set Thursday with two straight kills. Kaela Halvorson, returning to action after being bothered by a foot injury, had a kill of her own to make it 3-0. Then Thomas collected two more killers for a quick 5-0 lead.

Davenport North (10-15) never got back in the match and the Indians cruised to the straight-set victory.

Marion Coach Roxanne Paulsen said Thomas has been a force for the Indians all season.

"She's our leading hitter, she's our leading scorer," said Paulsen. "She has the ability to turn it on, and I think she really showed that in Game 3."

Marion played Thursday without junior Johanna Steggall, who has been sidelined with a concussion. Halvorson played but did not start, but the team pulled together and answered every challenge.

"I think we played really well tonight," said Paulsen. "It was really good to see them come through and have a solid performance."

Ashley Ohl, Amanda Sahm, Olivia Frazier, Tanea Westhoff, Taylor Wade, Thomas and Abby Phillips (the libero) were in the starting lineup. Erica Kelley, Stephanie Hedtke and Halvorson joined them in the rotation as everyone contributed to the victory.

"I'm really, really proud of this team," said Thomas. "I'm just so proud that we all stepped up. It was great."

Paulsen expects a stiff challenge Tuesday from Davenport Assumption.

"We'll have our hands full. We're going to have to play really well. And it may not be enough," she said. "We'll see."

The winner goes to the state tournament in two weeks.

"It's going to be great," said Thomas, looking forward to the regional finals. "Put it all on the court and just do the best we can. That's all I can ask."