🏐 KSHSAA Volleyball recap

State tournament weekend began with one unbeaten left in the state. Day One ended with zero unbeatens left.

Class 4A No. 1 Andale suffered its first loss of the season in its opening match of pool play at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, knocked off by the only team to enter the state tournaments with a losing record, Bishop Miege. The Stags, who beat Andale in the 2020 Class 4A state championship match, served notice to the Indians right away in 2022, taking a 25-23, 25-21 victory.

Not only had Andale entered the match without a loss, the Indians had only been taken to three sets once this season, by 5A qualifier Andover Central. But Miege, hardended by a demanding regular-season schedule, ended the Indians’ bid for perfection.

But the quest for a second straight title isn’t over for Andale. The Indians bounced back to roll past Rock Creek (25-11, 25-10) and Paola (25-14, 25-19) to finish pool play and earn a semifinal berth.

Andale (41-1) will take on Pool II winner and rival Circle (37-4), which went 3-0 without dropping a set in its pool and along the way gave head coach Shelly Nibarger her 900th career victory. The two teams squared off earlier this sesason with Andale taking a 25-20, 25-23 victory.

Miege (19-21) won its pool handily and will meet Louisburg (26-15), which went 2-1 in its pool.

POOL I

Rock Creek def. Paola, 25-23, 25-16; Bishop Miege def. Andale, 25-23, 25-21; Bishop Miege def. Paola, 25-11, 25-15; Andale def. Rock Creek, 25-11, 25-10; Bishop Miege def. Rock Creek, 25-20, 25-6; Andale def. Paola, 25-14, 25-19.

POOL II

Tonganoxie def. Clay Center, 25-22, 25-19; Circle def. Louisburg, 25-17, 25-18; Louisburg def. Clay Center, 25-17, 25-18; Circle def. Tonganoxie, 25-18, 25-17; Louisburg def. Tonganoxie, 32-30, 25-18; Circle def. Clay Center, 25-20, 25-21.

Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinals

Bishop Miege (19-21) vs. Louisburg (26-15); Circle (37-4) vs. Andale (41-1).


CLASS 6A

At Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Salina

Top-seeded Washburn Rural had no trouble advancing to Saturday’s Class 6A semifinals, winning all three matches in straight sets. The Junior Blues were dominant with their closest match a 25-20, 25-16 win over Blue Valley West in somewhat of a revenge match after the Jaguars ended Rural’s bid for a state title in last year’s semifinals.

Now the task is finishing on Saturday for Rural (43-1), which took an unblemished record into last year’s semifinals before getting upset by Blue Valley West. Rural ended up taking fourth.

This year’s trek to the program’s eighth state championship begins with a 9 a.m. semifinal showdown with Mill Valley (32-9), which went 2-1 in the opposite pool of Rural. The Jaguars bounced back from a tourney-opening loss to Blue Valley North to beat Free State 26-24, 25-20 and Wichita Northwest 23-25, 25-18, 25-21 to earn its semifinal berth.

Blue Valley North (26-1) began its defense of last year’s state title by going 3-0 to win its pool. Like Rural, the Mustangs won all three matches in straight sets and will take on Eastern Kansas League rival Blue Valley (30-10), which suffered its only pool loss to Rural 25-15, 25-18.

POOL I

Blue Valley def. Liberal, 25-13, 25-14; Washburn Rural def. Blue Valley West, 25-20, 25-16; Blue Valley West def. Liberal, 25-10, 25-13; Washburn Rural def. Blue Valley, 25-15, 25-18; Blue Valley def. Blue Valley West, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22; Washburn Rural def. Liberal, 25-7, 25-17.

POOL II

Blue Valley North def. Mill Valley, 25-22, 25-16; Free State def. Wichita Northwest, 25-20, 26-24; Mill Valley def. Free State, 26-24, 25-20; Blue Valley North def. Wichita Northwest, 25-23, 25-16; Blue Valley North def. Free State, 25-23, 25-22; Mill Valley def. Wichita Northwest, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21.

Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinals

Washburn Rural (43-1) vs. Mill Valley (32-9); Blue Valley North (26-10) vs. Blue Valley (30-10).


CLASS 5A

At Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Salina

There will be a new champion in Class 5A as defending champion Lansing was denied a sixth straight trip to the state semifinals. But it took a heck of a comeback by Seaman to send the defending champions home.

In a match to determine the runner-up spot in Pool II behind St. James Academy, Lansing topped the Vikings 25-17 in the first set and led 22-18 in the second set before Seaman mustered a rally. The Vikings tied the match at 23-23 and fought off match point to score three straight points for a 26-24 win in the second set.

The momentum stayed firmly on Seaman’s side in the final set as the Vikings took control early and never looked back, winning the set 25-12 to advance to the semifinals and end Lansing’s tournament.

St. James went 3-0 in pool play, fighting off Lansing in a three-set opener (22-25, 25-15, 25-14) before handling Saman (25-17, 25-20) and Maize South (25-023, 25-18).

St. James (36-3) will take on Hutchinson (32-8) in its 1 p.m. semifinal, while Seaman (32-9) faces No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (38-3), which cruised through its pool with wins over Bishop Carroll (25-20, 25-12), Hutchinson (25-19, 25-16) and Andover Central (25-16, 25-13).


POOL I

Hutchinson def. Andover Central, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20; St. Thomas Aquinas def. Bishop Carroll, 25-20, 25-12; Andover Central def. Bishop Carroll, 25-22, 26-24; St. Thomas Aquinas def. Hutchinson, 25-19, 25-16; Hutchinson def. Bishop Carroll, 25-11, 25-16; St. Thomas Aquinas def. Andover Central, 25-16, 25-13.

POOL II

Seaman def. Maize South, 26-24, 24-26, 25-17; St. James Academy def. Lansing, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14; Lansing def. Maize South, 26-24, 25-18; St. James Academy def. Seaman, 25-17, 25-20; Seaman def. Lansing, 17-25, 26-24, 25-12; St. James Academy def. Maize South, 25-23, 25-18.

Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinals

St. Thomas Aquinas (38-3) vs. Seaman (32-9); St. James Academy (36-3) vs. Hutchinson (32-8).


CLASS 3A

At Sports Arena, Hutchinson


Riverton didn’t win its pool on Friday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, but the Rams still made history.

For the first time ever, the program reached the state semifinals. The Rams bounced back from a loss to defending champion Olathe Heritage Christian in their first pool match, winning their next two to reach the semifinals for the first time. Riverton swept Eureka (25-13, 25-13) and Goodland (25-23, 25-22) to earn their berth.

Their opponent in Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinals is making a little history of its own. Top-seeded Nemaha Central swept through its pool with a trio of straight set wins and will take a school-record 45-1 record into the semifinals against Riverton (38-3). The trip to the semifinals is the first since 2017 for the Thunder, who survived tough pool battles with Smoky Valley (26-24, 25-22), Beloit (25-22, 25-18) and Cheney (25-23, 25-22).

Defending champion Heritage Christian had a slightly easier time in winning its pool, taking wins over Riverton (25-21, 25-17), Goodland (25-18, 25-17) and Eureka (26-24, 25-16). In their semifinal match, the Chargers (34-7) will face the team they beat for the title a year ago in Cheney (37-5), which beat Beloit (26-24, 25-13) and Smoky Valley (25-16, 25-14) before losing to Nemaha Central in the pool finale.

POOL I

Cheney def. Beloit, 26-24, 25-13; Nemaha Central def. Smoky Valley, 26-24, 25-22; Cheney def. Smoky Valley, 25-16, 25-14; Nemaha Central def. Beloit, 25-22, 25-18; Beloit def. Smoky Valley, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21; Nemaha Central def. Cheney, 25-23, 25-22.

POOL II

Goodland def. Eureka, 25-17, 25-18; Olathe Heritage Christian def. Riverton, 25-21, 25-17; Heritage Christian def. Goodland, 25-18, 25-17; Riverton def. Eureka, 25-13, 25-13; Heritage Christian def. Eureka, 26-24, 25-16; Riverton def. Goodland, 25-23, 25-22.

Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinals

Nemaha Central (45-1) vs. Riverton (38-3); Olathe Heritage Christian (34-7) vs. Cheney (37-5)


CLASS 2A

At United Wireless Arena, Dodge City

Reigning Class 2A state champion Smith Center got a huge test in its final pool play match on Friday at Dodge City’s United Wireless Arena, pushed to three sets by an Inman team that had knocked out 2A unbeaten Sedgwick in sub-state play.

But that battle was merely to decide the top seed from the pool with both teams already having qualified for the semifinals. Smith Center bounced back from a 25-19 loss in the first set to the Teutons to take the next two 25-16, 27-25 to win the pool.

The Lady Red (39-4) will take on Jefferson County North (32-9) in Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinal after also handling Valley Heights 25-12, 25-17 and Garden Plain 25-16, 25-13.

Hillsboro, runner-up to Smith Center last year, had little trouble winning its pool. The Trojans won all three matches in straight sets with victories over Pittsburg Colgan (25-16, 25-9), Jefferson North (25-21, 25-18) and Meade (25-11, 25-19).

Hillsboro (42-1) will meet Inman (36-6) in its semifinal match.


POOL I

Jefferson County North def. Meade, 25-10, 25-20; Hillsboro def. Pittsburg Colgan, 25-16, 25-9; Pittsburg Colgan def. Meade, 24-26, 26-24, 25-20; Hillsboro def. Jefferson County North, 25-21, 25-18; Jefferson County North def. Pittsburg Colgan, 25-22, 25-22; Hillsboro def. Meade, 25-11, 25-19.

POOL II

Inman def. Garden Plain, 25-13, 25-17; Smith Center def. Valley Heights, 25-12, 25-17; Inman def. Valley Heights, 25-17, 25-18; Smith Center def. Garden Plain, 25-16, 25-13; Valley Heights def. Garden Plain, 25-18, 12-25, 25-19; Smith Center def. Inman, 19-25, 25-16, 27-25.

Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinals

Hillsboro (42-1) vs. Inman (36-6); Smith Center (39-4) vs. Jefferson County North (32-9).


CLASS 1A DIVISION I

At United Wireless Arena, Dodge City

Doniphan West is making its first trip to state in program history count.

The Mustangs went into Friday as the tourney’s No. 7 seed. They came out of Friday’s play at Dodge City’s United Wireless Arena as pool champions.

Doniphan West opened tourney play with a 25-19, 25-20 win over 2021 state runner-up Pretty Prairie. The Mustangs rode the momentum of that win to a thrilling three-set victory over No. 2 seed Sylvan-Lucas, bouncing back from a 25-23 loss in the first set to win the next two 25-22, 25-17. West then closed the night with a 25-21, 25-17 win over St. Francis.

In reaching the semifinals for the first time, Doniphan West (37-5) will take on Flinthills (39-3). The Mustangs were the tourney’s No. 1 seed, but finished second in their pool to Little River.

Little River opened pool play with a grueling 21-25, 25-22, 25-22 win over defending 1A Division I champion Spearville. After handling Olpe 25-13, 25-14, the Redskins had a showdown with Flinthills for the pool title and ended the Mustangs’ 36-match winning streak with a 23-25, 25-9, 25-12 win. Flinthills had extended its streak with a 21-25, 25-19, 25-23 win over Spearville that knocked the defending champions out.

Little River (38-4) will meet Pretty Prairie (38-5) in the semifinals.


POOL I

Little River def. Spearville, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22; Flinthills def. Olpe, 25-14, 25-14; Little River def. Olpe, 25-13, 25-14; Flinthills def. Spearville, 21-25, 25-19, 25-23; Spearville def. Olpe, 25-12, 25-14; Little River def. Flinthills, 23-25, 25-9, 25-12.

POOL II

Doniphan West def. Pretty Prairie, 25-19, 25-20; St. Francis def. Sylvan-Lucas, 13-25, 25-19, 27-25; Pretty Prairie def. St. Francis, 25-19, 19-25, 25-11; Doniphan West def. Sylvan-Lucas, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17; Doniphan West def. St. Francis, 25-21, 25-17; Pretty Prairie def. Sylvan-Lucas, 25-12, 25-12.

Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinals

Little River (38-4) vs. Pretty Prairie (38-5); Doniphan West (37-5) vs. Flinthills (39-3)


CLASS 1A DIVISION II

At White Auditorium, Emporia

After playing for the state championship a year ago, Hanover and Lebo appear headed for a repeat showdown for the title again this year after turning in dominating pool-play performance on Friday at Emporia’s White Auditorium.

Top-seeded Lebo cruised through all three of its matches in pool play, not surrendering more than 16 points in any set. The Wolves ripped Ingalls 25-13, 25-13 and Hutchinson Central Christian, 25-14, 25-13 before capping pool play with a 25-16, 25-14 win over Beloit-St. John’s.

Hanover, meanwhile, was even more impressive. The two-time reigning champions posted three set victories where they held their opponent to single-digit points in rolling to wins over South Central (25-7, 25-10), Wheatland-Grinnell (25-7, 26-24) and Attica (25-15, 25-9).

Lebo (42-1) will take on Attica (40-4) in one semifinal while Hanover (36-5) will face Beloit-St. John’s (33-8).

POOL I

Beloit-St. John’s def. Hutchinson Central Christian, 25-19, 25-22; Lebo def. Ingalls, 25-13, 25-13; Beloit-St. John’s def. Ingalls, 25-19, 25-19; Lebo def. Hutchinson Central Christian, 25-14, 25-13; Hutchinson Central Christian def. Ingalls, 25-23, 25-20; Lebo def. Beloit-St. John’s, 25-16, 25-14.

POOL II

Hanover def. South Central, 25-7, 25-10; Attica def. Wheatland-Grinnell, 25-14, 25-17; Hanover def. Wheatland-Grinnell, 25-7, 26-24; Attica def. South Central, 25-17, 25-18; Wheatland-Grinnell def. South Central, 25-16, 25-22; Hanover def. Attica, 25-15, 25-9.

Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinals

Lebo (42-1) vs. Attica (40-4); Hanover (36-5) vs. Beloit-St. John’s (33-8).