"Royal blue" treatment sends Bernie's Lady Mules to Final Four

Purchase this photo at dailystatesman.com NOREEN HYSLOP-nhyslop@dailystatesman.com

The entire Bernie Schools' student body and staff paid tribute to the Lady Mules volleyball team Thursday morning and honored their record thus far with a rousing send-off in the school gym. Through song, dance, some antics from some not-so-appealing "alternate" cheerleaders (see page 16), and a video tribute, the team was sent on its way to Cape Girardeau where they will compete in the State playoffs Friday and hopefully in the championship game on Saturday at the Show Me Center. Additional photos from the send-off appear in today's paper and in Photo Galleries at www.dailystatesman.com.