Oct 27, 2023

🏐🎥 WATCH: Class 3A/4A State Volleyball Friday and Saturday at the Sports Arena

Posted Oct 27, 2023 12:00 PM
State Volleyball 2023
State Volleyball 2023

HUTCHINSON, Kan.-KSHSAA State Volleyball Class 3A and 4A will get underway today with pool play beginning at 8:30am at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kansas.

All matches including pool play will be video streamed on the NFHS Network .

Here are the Class 3A Team Capsules:

Ella Bolan.jpg
Ella Bolan.jpg

By: Brent Maycock, KSHSAA Covered

Story Links

CLASS 3A AT THE SPORTS ARENA, HUTCHINSON

BELOIT

Coach: Brandy Paul

Record: 37-2 

(No. 1 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Goodland (8: 23-15), 9:30 a.m.; vs. Smoky Valley (5: 29-11), 11:30 a.m.; vs. Olathe Heritage Christian (4: 34-4), 1:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Riley County, 25-15, 25-7; beat Russell, 25-8, 25-12; beat Nemaha Central, 25-18, 25-10.

Key Players: Addison Budke, jr., OH; Mylie Brown, sr., OH; Jaidyn Follis, jr., S; Kailyn Follis, jr., L; Sophia Thompson, jr., MB; Brecken Boudreaux, so., OPP; Dakota Gray, so., MB; Peyton Remus, sr., DS.

Worth noting: Since making first state appearance in program history in 2016, Beloit has now qualified seven times in past eight years after surviving sub-state that included No. 3 and 2022 state runner-up Nemaha Central, which beat the Trojans in pool play at state last year. … Trojans have state runner-up finish in 2019 and took third in 2018 and fourth in 2021 and 2016. … Paul is just two wins from 350 in her 11th season at Beloit. … Both of Trojans’ losses came at season-opening Hays Invitational to 5A qualifier Maize South and 6A Olathe West. … Trojans have won 34 straight matches since, including their eighth straight North Central Activities Association title. … Beloit won tournament titles at Southeast of Saline, Republic County and Concordia, picking up wins over state qualifiers Circle (4A), Smoky Valley (3A) Hillsboro (2A) and Smith Center (2A) with the wins over Smith Center coming in the finals at both Republic County and Concordia. … Budke has 516 kills this season and has the most among active players in the state with 1,734. … She set school record with 679 kills last year. … She also has 53 aces, 31 blocks and 174 digs. … Brown recorded her 1,000th career kill and dig this season and has 334 kills this season and 1,307 in her career. … Jaidyn Follis has 969 assists this year and is just 23 away from 2,000 in her career, holding school records for both. … Kailyn Follis has 475 digs this year. … Boudreaux is two aces away from the school record for a single season with 76 this season. … Thompson missed first nine matches after transferring in and has 171 kills and 96 blocks.

CHENEY

Coach: Sara Walkup

Record: 35-4

(No. 3 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Silver Lake (6: 28-11), 8:30 a.m.; vs. Riverton (7: 25-10), 10:30 a.m.; vs. Neodesha (2: 36-3), 1:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Haven, 26-24, 25-9; beat Kingman, 25-8, 25-10; beat Wichita Trinity Academy, 25-21, 25-21.

Key Players: Alex Bittner, sr., OH; Jailyn Adolph, sr., L; Reese Hedstrom, jr., MH; Peyton McCormick, sr., OH; Macey Batt, jr., S; Karstyn Inslee, jr., S.

Worth noting: State qualifiers seven of the past eight years, Cheney is making fifth straight appearance. … The Cardinals have three runner-up finishes, three thirds and two fourths. … Walkup won her 500th career match in the regular-season finale and recently was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. … Cardinals were Central Plains League champions and also won tourney titles at Haven and Cheney Invitationals. … Cardinals were runner-up at Goddard Invitational to 4A qualifier Andale, losing in three sets in the finals after beating 5A qualifier Andover in the semifinals. … Other three losses came to 5A Eisenhower and Valley Center and defending 2A state champion Hillsboro. … A Pittsburg State commit, Bittner went over 1,000 career kills and digs this season, recording 456 kills and 524 digs this season. … Hedstrom has 185 kills and McCormick has 153. … Batt has 440 assists and Inslee has 411. … Adolph leads team with 615 digs and went over 1,000 in her career this season. … Aptly-named junior Erika Block has team-high 65 blocks.

GOODLAND

Coach: Angie Brumbaugh

Record: 23-15

(No. 8 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Beloit (1: 37-2), 9:30 a.m.; vs. Olathe Heritage Christian (4: 34-4), 10:30 a.m.; vs. Smoky Valley (5: 29-11), 12:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Colby, 27-25, 25-19; beat Hoisington, 25-19, 25-19; beat Holcomb, 25-18, 25-16.

Key Players: Jaxi Mitchek, sr., OH; Haley Biermann, sr., L; Haley Blochlinger, sr., RS; Brooklan Ivans, sr., DS; Brielle Rubio, sr., DS; Alessa Rickard, so., OH; Libby Cure, so., MH; Lauren Linton, so., MH; Hannah Coumerilh, sr., S.

Worth noting: Cowgirls have qualified for state each of past four seasons, taking fourth in 2020. … Goodland won state title in 1988 and was top-four finisher the next three seasons as well when Brumbaugh was playing for team. … Graduation claimed 5 starters from last year’s team, two of whom were four-year starters and another a three-year starter. … Cowgirls won the Great West Activities Conference Tournament and upset top-seeded Hoisington in sub-state semifinals. … Goodland started season 10-12 but have won 13 of last 15 matches. … Mitchek went over 1,000 career digs at league tournament and is closing in on 1,000 career kills with 976 overall. … She has 387 this season to lead Cowgirls. … Four other players have at least 124 kills – Blochlinger (161), Rickard (143), Cure (124) and Linton (114). … Coumerilh leads team with 767 assists. … Biermann had 446 digs (930 in career) and Mitchek 431. … Cure leads team with 73 blocks and Linton has 53.

NEODESHA

Coach: Jodi Stover

Record: 36-3

(No. 2 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Riverton (7: 25-10), 9:30 a.m.; vs. Silver Lake (6: 28-11), 11:30 a.m.; vs. Cheney (3: 35-4), 1:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Osawatomie, 25-11, 25-17; beat Prairie View, 25-10, 25-11; beat Anderson County, 25-12, 25-10.

Key Players: Prayer Roebuck, jr., RS/S; Kimmy Combs, so., OH/S; Dalia Johnson, so., L; Darcie Dyke, jr., OH/RS/DS; Alivia Morrison, so., OH/RS; Brooklyn Newland, so., MH; Brenna Stierwalt, sr., MH; Laiken Bell, jr., DS.

Worth noting: Bluestreaks have won 36 matches each of the past two seasons, but secured elusive state berth this season after falling in sub-state finals to Eureka last year. … State trip is first for program since 2015 and just third in school history with other coming in 1999. … Only losses this season have come to 1A Division II qualifier Lebo, Frontenac and Humboldt with two of the losses coming at the Erie Invitational in mid-September. … Neodesha also beat Humboldt twice. … Bluestreaks won tournament titles at Cherryvale and Neodesha and were Tri-Valley League champions. … Roebuck leads team with 462 kills and also has 303 assists and 42 aces. … Combs has 453 assists and 269 kills after coming back from ACL injury that claimed bulk of freshman season. … Johnson has 290 digs and 47 aces. … Morrison and Newland each have over 70 kills and 20 aces with Newland adding 31 blocks. … Bluestreaks will suit up junior Samantha Stover, who has missed season with ACL injury suffered in July after she led last year’s team in aces and digs and was second in assists and third in kills. … Jodi Stover won 300th career match on Oct. 10. … Roebuck recorded her 1,000th career kill during sub-state.

OLATHE HERITAGE CHRISTIAN

Coach: Tom Slaughter

Record: 34-4

(No. 4 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Smoky Valley (5: 29-11), 8:30 a.m.; vs. Goodland (8: 23-15), 10:30 a.m.; vs. Beloit (1: 37-2), 1:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Wellsville, 25-9. 25-8; beat Santa Fe Trail, 25-12, 25-17; beat Hayden, 25-14, 25-12.

Key Players: Rachel Van Gorp, sr., OH; Cy Rae Campbell, sr., MH; Grace Schmedding, sr., OH; Anna Schenk, sr., S; Maddy Wolf, sr.; Caelyn Ferguson, sr.; Lauren Jacobs, sr.

Worth noting: Heritage Christian has won three straight state titles, capturing the Class 2A crown in 2020 before taking the Class 3A state title the past two seasons. … The Chargers beat Nemaha Central 25-16, 25-13 in last year’s title match to finish the season 36-7. … Title was program’s fifth overall in Slaughter’s eight seasons. … Three of four losses this year have come to 5A qualifiers St. James Academy (twice) and Maize South and other came to Papillion (Neb.) La Vista. … Chargers own nine wins over state qualifying teams, including 6A No. 1 seed Blue Valley North and 5A’s Lansing and Seaman. … Team has 8 seniors on 12-player roster. … Van Gorp, an Iowa State commit, has team-high 338 kills this season as well as 248 digs and 74 aces. … She went over 1,500 career kills at sub-state and is the reigning 3A player of the year. … Campbell has 267 kills this season and went over 1,000 in her career. … Schmedding has 285 kills and 39 aces. … Schenk has 847 assists. … Wolf has 138 kills and 60 aces and Ferguson has 131 kills. … Six players have at least 100 digs and six have at least 30 aces

RIVERTON

Coach: Rebecca Lipasek

Record: 25-10

(No. 7 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Neodesha (2: 36-3), 9:30 a.m.; vs. Cheney (3: 35-4), 10:30 a.m.; vs. Silver Lake (6: 28-11), 12:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Galena, 25-12, 12-25, 25-13; beat Girard, 25-21, 25-22; beat Frontenac, 25-17, 25-21.

Key Players: Elizabeth Wells, sr., MH/RS; Lexie Mallatt, jr., L/OH; Alivia Parker, sr., OH; Maddie Darnaby, jr., MH/OH.

Worth noting: Rams making fourth straight trip to state tourney and seventh overall. … Last year’s fourth-place finish was best in program history. … Lipasek, a Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee, won her 800th career match at the Osawatomie Invitational and is 231-52 in seven years at Riverton. … Rams won the Wichita Trinity Academy Tournament and the Silver Division of the Carl Junction (Mo.) Tournament. … Rams were the No. 3 at their sub-state but knocked off No. 2 seed Girard and top-seeded Frontenac in straight sets for state berth. … Two of Rams’ losses came to 2A qualifier St. Mary’s Colgan and another to 3A qualifier Olathe Heritage Christian. … Wells is four-year starter who has 349 kills, 50 aces, 69 blocks and 220 digs. … She has 847 career kills and 201 career aces. … Mallatt has 430 digs and 55 aces. … Parker has 190 kills, 47 aces and 308 digs and reached 1,000 career digs in sub-state quarterfinals. … Mallatt hit 1,000 career digs in the sub-state semifinals. … Darnaby has 139 kills and 59 aces.

 SILVER LAKE

Coach: Sarah Johnson

Record: 28-11

(No. 6 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Cheney (3: 35-4), 8:30 a.m.; vs. Neodesha (2: 36-3), 11:30 a.m.; vs. Riverton (7: 25-10), 12:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Sabetha, 20-25, 25-4, 25-12; beat Royal Valley, 25-23, 28-26; beat Rossville, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24.

Key Players: McKinley Kruger, sr., L; Sarah Wehrli, sr., S; Ella Bolan, jr., OH/MB; Kaibryn Kruger, sr., OH/RS/MH; Alana Brewster, jr., MB; Makenzie McDaniel, sr., OH; Jaylie Whitehead, fr., DS; Jaiden Wise, so., OH/RS.

Worth noting: A perennial contender in Class 3A, Silver Lake making first trip to state since 2019. … Eagles have nine state titles in program history, the last coming in 2018 – the fourth under Johnson, who is 489-158 in her 16-year career. … Eagles have seven top-four finishes in nine state trips under Johnson. … Eagles finished runner-up in Mid-East League to Rock Creek, which was the top seed in 4A east sub-states. … Eagles won the Marysville Invitational. … Bolan leads team with 282 kills and also has 318 digs, 53 blocks and 33 aces. … Brewster has 230 kills and McDaniel has 204. … Wehrli has 756 assists and 208 digs. … McKinley Kruger has 424 digs and 32 aces. … Kaibryn Kruger has 170 kills and 346 digs and 33 aces. … Wise has 188 kills and Whitehead 226 digs. … Eagles beat Mid-East League archrival four times this season, including the sub-state finals.

SMOKY VALLEY

Coach: Doug Schneider

Record: 29-11

(No. 5 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Olathe Heritage Christian (4: 34-4), 8:30 a.m.; vs. Beloit (1: 37-2), 11:30 a.m.; vs. Goodland (8: 23-15), 12:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Lyons, 25-10, 25-13; beat Southeast of Saline, 25-23, 25-21; beat Halstead, 25-11, 25-19.

Key Players: Hope Duncan, sr., OH; Adrian Hazelwood, sr., S; Katja Blanchat, jr., MH; Tinley Scott, sr., MH; Breanne Peters, sr., OH/RH; Avery Ahlstedt, sr., OH/RH; Ceeley Friesen, so., L.

Worth noting: Vikings making fourth straight trip to state and second straight under Schneider, who returned as head coach last year after previously coaching program from 2004-13. … Smoky Valley took second in 2020 and third in 2021 before going 0-3 in pool play last year. … Vikings have two other runner-up finishes in program history, 1978 and 1981. … Vikings took second at Abilene Tournament and among wins collected this year were ones against 2A qualifier Hillsboro. … Hazelwood has 910 assists this season and went over 2,500 for her career. … She also has 220 digs. … Duncan has 423 kills and 342 digs this year and hit milestones of 1,000 career kills, digs and serve receives this season. … Blanchat has 343 kills this season and has topped 800 kills, 600 digs and 600 serve receives in her career. … Scott has 111 kills and 252 digs. … Blanchat also has 33 aces to lead six Vikings with at least 25 aces. … She also has team-high 87 blocks.

Here are the Class 4A Team Capsules:

Andale_Grace_Rowland.jpg
Andale_Grace_Rowland.jpg

By: Brent Maycock, KSHSAA Covered

Story Links

CLASS 4A AT THE SPORTS ARENA, HUTCHINSON

ANDALE

Coach: Kaylie Bergkamp

Record: 27-10

(No. 5 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Eudora (4: 23-8), 3:30 p.m.; vs. Clearwater (1: 35-3), 6:30 p.m.; vs. Bishop Miege (8: 19-17), 7:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Buhler, 25-18, 25-14; beat Clay Center, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18.

Key Players: Hayden Grimes, so., OH; Grace Rowland, sr., OH; Ella Eck, jr., MH; Eva Preister, sr., L; Abbi Winter, fr., S; Taya Orth, jr., S.

Worth noting: Andale making sixth straight trip to state and have played in the state championship match each of the past four years. … Indians won the state title in 2021 and took second in 2019, 2020 and 2022. … Bergkamp won her 200th match at Andale this season and is 219-31 in six years. … Andale won title at Goddard Invitational and took second at the Newton Invitational. … Six of nine losses came to 5A or 6A schools and three came to fellow 4A qualifiers Clearwater (twice) and Circle. … Indians have three wins over fellow 4A qualifier McPherson and also beat 6A qualifiers Garden City and Maize, 5A qualifier Andover and 3A qualifier Cheney. … Indians graduated 9 players off last year’s runner-up team and only two of this year’s players were on last year’s state roster. … Grimes was libero last year before moving to outside hitter this year where she has 355 kills and 72 aces, both team highs. … Rowland has 332 kills after also moving to outside hitter spot this season. … Orth has 374 assists and Winter has 303. … Eck leads team with 60 blocks. … Grimes also leads team with 350 digs and Preister has 241.

BISHOP MIEGE

Coach: Lindsay Zych Franco

Record: 19-17 (No. 8 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Clearwater (1: 35-3), 4:30 p.m.; vs. Eudora (4: 23-8), 5:30 p.m.; vs. Andale (5: 27-10), 7:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Tonganoxie, 25-16, 25-18; beat Chanute, 25-8, 25-17.

Key Players: Ava Martin, sr., S; Lauren Lopez, jr., OH; Trinniti Stevens, jr., MH; Gabby Anderson, sr., L; Georgia LeMay, fr., OH; Kirston Verhulst, jr., RS/OPP.

Worth noting: Miege is most decorated program in state history, winning 27 state championships. … Stags were Class 4A state champions last fall, beating Andale 25-22, 32-30 in the title match. … Title was second straight for Zych Franco, who also led Lansing to 5A state title in 2021. … Miege has qualified for state 44 out of 47 years since winning first state championship in 1977. … Stags won the Ottawa Invitational, beating 5A qualifier Maize South in the finals despite missing two starters who were out with injury. … Stags also took second at Blue Valley North to the tourney hosts, who are 6A’s No. 1 seed. … Zych Francos recorded her 100th career win this season. … Stags have two sets of sisters on team – Trinniti and Olivia Stevens and twins Georgia and Finley LeMay – and have five freshmen on roster. … Martin, a San Jose State commit, has 369 assists and 150 digs this season despite missing three weeks with a foot injury. … She also recorded her 2,000th career assist this year. … Lopez also missed nearly three weeks with an injury and has team-high 275 kills, hitting 1,000 in her career this season. … LeMay has 265 kills while Stevens has 174 and Verhulst 154. … Anderson has 275 digs, 74 assists and 33 aces.

CIRCLE

Coach: Shelly Nibarger

Record: 33-5

(No. 2 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Holton (7: 25-15), 4:30 p.m.; vs. Louisburg (6: 24-14), 6:30 p.m.; vs. McPherson (3: 29-9), 8:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Chapman, 25-6, 25-9; beat Pratt, 25-9, 25-14.

Key Players: Jacqueline Corcoran, sr., OH; Reagan Smith, sr., S; Mia Fox, sr., MH; Katelyn Paul, jr., OH; Taylor Russell, jr., RS.

Worth noting: Circle back at state for the third straight year and fourth time in past five years. … T-Birds finished third a year ago, falling to Andale in semifinals before beating Louisburg for third. … Finish matched a program best, tying thirds from 1993, 2002 and 2019. … Circle also took fourth in 2006 for five top-four finishes in 14 trips overall. … Circle returned five starters from last year’s team. … T-Birds won home tournament and also claimed title at the Wamego Invitational. … Circle were co-champs of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail III, giving program a third straight league title and 16th overall. … Nibarger won 900th career game at state last year. … Corcoran has 338 kills this season and is all-time kills leader at Circle with 1,159. … Smith has 855 assists and is the career record-holder for assists at Circle with 2,791. … Fox has 167 kills, 70 blocks and 30 aces. … Paul has 167 kills and 37 aces. … Russell has 82 kills and 31 blocks.

CLEARWATER

Coach: Abbee Schultz

Record: 35-3

(No. 1 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Bishop Miege (8: 19-17), 4:30 p.m.; vs. Andale (5: 27-10), 6:30 p.m.; vs. Eudora (4: 23-8), 8:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Augusta, 25-13, 25-14; beat Abilene, 25-15, 25-12.

Key Players: Kenzy McArtor, jr., OH; Madison Williams, jr., OH; Alli Clevenger, MB; Justine Berlin, MB; Elizabeth Tjaden, DS; Kaylee Hampton, S.

Worth noting: Indians had breakout year in Schultz’s first year as head coach, nearly doubling their win total after going 18-16 last season. … Indians earned first state berth since 2020 and 12th overall in program history. … Lone state title for program came in 1994 and Indians posted six top-four finishes since 1995. … Clearwater won Ark Valley Chisholm Trail IV title and took titles at home tournament and Chaparral Invitational. … Indians handed 5A No. 1 seed Andover Central its only loss of season. … Indians also have wins over fellow 4A qualifiers Circle and Andale. … Lone losses came to Andover Central, Clay Center and Wichita Collegiate. … McArtor leads team with 386 kills and 91 aces and also has 33 blocks and 196 digs. … Williams has 233 kills and 115 digs. … Clevenger has 109 kills and 49 blocks. … Berlin has 143 kills, 57 aces and 53 blocks. … Hampton has 832 assists, 105 kills, 63 aces and 140 digs. … Tjaden has 161 digs and 45 aces.

EUDORA

Coach: Brooke Hopper

Record: 23-8

(No. 4 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Andale (5: 27-10), 3:30 p.m.; vs. Bishop Miege (8: 19-17), 5:30 p.m.; vs. Clearwater (1: 35-3), 8:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Fort Scott, 25-16, 25-15; beat Baldwin, 25-11, 25-22.

Key Players: Rayah Foltz, sr., OH/DS; Adalyn Hemphill, jr., OH/DS; Parker Long, sr., L; Ellie Subdr, sr., S/OPP; Madison Karten, sr., MB; Harper Andrews, sr., MB; Indigo Pruitt, jr., MB/OPP; Cameron McCormick, jr., DS.

Worth noting: After losing in sub-state semifinals last year, Cardinals earned first state appearance since 2019, downing perennial power and Frontier League rival Baldwin in sub-state finals this year. … Hopper in first year as head coach after previously coaching at Parsons the past three years. … Eudora won 4A state title in 2006. … Cardinals won the Wellsville Invitational and took second at the Baldwin Invitational. … Five of eight losses came in league play and two came to two-time reigning 3A state champion Olathe Heritage Christian. … Foltz leads Cardinals with 316 kills, while Hemphill isn’t far behind with 249 kills. … Suber has 710 assists this year and recorded her 1,500th career assist this season in just over two years as Cardinals’ primary setter. … Long has 269 digs. … Suber also has 79 kills and 48 aces and Hemphill has 46 aces. … Karten, Andrews and Pruitt each have at least 50 blocks and 59 kills. … McCormick has 108 digs and 26 aces.

HOLTON

Coach: Kristal Bontrager

Record: 25-15

(No. 7 seed)Pool-play matches: vs. Circle (2: 33-5), 4:30 p.m.; vs. McPherson (3: 29-9), 5:30 p.m.; vs. Louisburg (6: 24-14), 7:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Parsons, 19-25, 25-20, 25-15; beat Rock Creek, 25-21, 25-17.

Key Players: Cora Miller, sr., L; Renn Deters, sr., OH; Elizabeth Schuster, jr., MH; Tinley Wilson, fr., OH.

Worth noting: Wildcats earned first trip to state since 2017 with upset run through sub-state, knocking out higher seeds in both matches including No. 1 overall east seed Rock Creek in sub-state finals. … Wildcats took fourth in 2017 and trip is just sixth overall for program, also taking fourth in 2004 and 2011. … Wildcats took second at Sabetha Invitational, falling to Nemaha Central in three sets in the finals. … Holton took third in Big Seven League. … Miller, a Jamestown signee, missed part of season with concussion, but averages 14 digs per set and hit 1,000 in her career this year. … Deters leads team in kills with 295. … Schuster has team-high 80 blocks and is second in kills with 252. … Wilson has 241 kills and, 253 digs and 38 aces.

LOUISBURG

Coach: Leana Willer

Record: 24-14

(No. 6 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. McPherson (3: 29-9), 3:30 p.m.; vs. Circle (2: 33-5), 6:30 p.m.; vs. Holton (7: 25-15), 7:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Paola, 25-22, 25-18; beat Independence, 25-17, 25-20.

Key Players: Madelyn Williams, sr., OH; Hailey Sword, sr., OH; Megan Quinn, sr., S; Adelyn Moore, fr., S; Delaney Nelsen, so., MB; Caileigh Kilgore, so., OPP; McKenna Lohse, so., OPP; Izzy Moreland, sr., MB; Ashlyn Berck, sr., L.

Worth noting: Wildcats are fixture at state tournament with 20 trips overall, including 11 of last 14 seasons. … Highest finish is second place, which has happened six times, the last coming in 2018. … Wildcats also have four thirds and six fourths. … Louisburg won Frontenac Invitational and took second at home tournament and Atchison Invitational. … Sword leads team with 274 kills, just ahead of Williams’ 263 kills. … Williams leads in digs with 274 and aces with 40 despite missing a week with an injury. … Sword is four kills from 600 in her career and has 113 career aces. … Quinn has 479 assists and went over 1,500 for her career in sub-state play. … Moore has 400 assists. … Nelsen has 113 kills, 143 digs and 38 aces. … Kilgore has 137 kills. … Berck has 196 digs and 40 aces.

MCPHERSON

Coach: Christy Doile

Record: 29-9

(No. 3 seed)

Pool-play matches: vs. Louisburg (6: 24-14), 3:30 p.m.; vs. Holton (7: 25-15), 5:30 p.m.; vs. Circle (2: 33-5), 8:30 p.m.

Sub-state results: beat Rose Hill, 18-25, 25-21, 25-11; beat Ulysses, 25-13, 25-17.

Key Players: Alex Romero, sr., S; Haely Hagemann, jr., OH; Brooke Doile, so., MH/OH; Ava Romero, so., MH/OH; Addison Chapman, jr., OPP/S.

Worth noting: After missing out on state a year ago, McPherson earned its 20th overall state appearance with mild upset of No. 4 seed Ulysses in sub-state finals. … Bullpups have 10 top-four finishes in previous 19 trips, including a state title in 2012 and runner-up showings in 2011 and 2015. … McPherson finished fourth in 2020. … Coaching staff added Melissa Segovia this season, a former head coach at Rose Hill and Valley Center who led Rockets to pair of state titles. … McPherson won its preseason Invitational with wins over 5A qualifier Andover. … Bullpups also have wins over 6A qualifier Garden City and 4A qualifier Circle, splitting with the T-Birds. … Six of nine losses have come to state qualifiers including three to fellow 4A qualifier Andale. … Three players have at least 200 kills with Ava Romero leading the way with 241, just ahead of Hagemann’s 222 and Doile’s 210. … Alex Romero has 790 assists and 43 blocks. … Doile leads team with 337 digs and Ava Romero has 293 and Chapman 277. … Hagemann has 52 aces, two ahead of Ava Romero, who also leads team with 53 blocks.