2022 Volleyball Preview
 
 

 
CLASS 6A
 
2021 State Champion: Blue Valley North
 
2021 State Runner-up: Blue Valley West
 
2021 Review: Blue Valley North announced its arrival as a volleyball power, claiming the program’s first state championship last season. Despite taking a 35-2 record into last year’s state tourney, the Mustangs were a bit under the radar even after winning their pool with 2020 champion Blue Valley West, 2020 runner-up Olathe Northwest and undefeated Washburn Rural the other three teams remaining. But North was locked in, outlasting Olathe Northwest 25-16, 20-25, 25-23 in the semifinals before taking it to rival and defending champion West in the title match in a 25-10, 25-23 victory. The title capped a 40-2 season for the Mustangs in which the only losses came to 5A runner-up St. James Academy and 5A third-place finisher St. Thomas Aquinas.
 
2022 Contenders: Following its breakthrough season, Blue Valley North hardly has the look of a one and done. The Mustangs will have to replace a pair of first-team All-State hitters in graduated standouts Jasmine Dulan and Clara Benskin as well as 6-foot-3 middle Morgan DeBow. But sophomore hitter Logan Parks is one of the top players in the state and led last year’s title team in kills, while setter Janelle Green is a Cincinnati commit as a junior. Runner-up Blue Valley West will go through a youth movement this season after graduation claimed seven seniors off last year’s team, including first-team All-Staters Brooke Leiker and Taylor Stockman and two others who earned All-State honors. Four freshmen were on last year’s state roster, including honorable mention All-Stater Lily Wedman, the Jaguars’ setter. No team in Class 6A should be hungrier than Washburn Rural. The Junior Blues positioned themselves to capture the program’s first state title since 2012 with a dominant regular season that saw them go undefeated. Rural cruised through its sub-state and went 3-0 in pool play to take a 41-0 record into the state semifinals, but saw the bid for a perfect season come to an end with a 21-25, 25-16, 28-26 heartbreaking semifinal loss to Blue Valley West. The Junior Blues couldn’t bounce back, falling to Olathe Northwest in the consolation final to take fourth. Rural only graduated three players off that dominant squad and return last year’s Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year in senior hitter Brooklyn DeLeye, who also was the 6A player of the year. Second-team All-Stater Taylor Russell, honorable mention pick Jada Ingram and junior setter Zoe Canfield lead a strong supporting cast for DeLeye, a Kentucky commit. State champion in 2016 and 2017, runner-up in 2020 and third last season, Olathe Northwest could very well be the favorite to take the title this season. The Ravens only graduated one player off last year’s team, and she was a seldom-used reserve. That leaves Northwest with its state roster pretty much intact after the Ravens went 27-13 last year. The Ravens are still relatively young with just one senior returning and boast one of the state’s top hitters in junior six-footer Skyler Pierce, who is committed to Nebraska. Fellow junior Jillian Huckabey (second-team 6A) joined Pierce (first-team 6A) in earning All-State honors as did junior Emmy Sher (honorable mention). The Ravens return all but two kills from last year’s production. Wichita Northwest is emerging as a force and last year put together a 33-match winning streak to start the season before taking a 39-1 record into the state tournament – the lone loss coming to Rural. The Grizzlies couldn’t make it out of pool play, going 0-3, but the trip was the second straight for the program. Losing only two players to graduation, the Grizzlies should be able to ride that momentum to another strong season in 2022. Senior All-Stater Caiya Stucky will be missed, but younger sister Camdyn is one of three returning six-footers and ranked third on the team in kills last year behind returning senior Grace Dickerson. Senior Brailee Bogle was third in kills and led the Grizzlies in assists and libero Payton Benoit also is back. Free State has qualified for state the past three seasons and also has a veteran team back despite losing five seniors off last year’s state team that finished 25-11. Seniors Rylee Unruh, Aubrey Duncan and Sawyer Thomsen are all four-year starters and lead five returners that had at least 100 kills last season. Hutchinson made it to state last year for the first time since 2017 and were co-champions of the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail I League with 5A qualifier Maize South, posting its first 30-win season in program history with a 33-8 season. The Salthawks will have to replace setter Kaitlin Yoder, but nearly everyone else is back including AVCTL I player of the year Maliyah Johnson. Hutchinson started two freshmen last year and boasts a trio of six-footers and also welcomes former Nickerson standout Josie McLean. Shawnee Mission Northwest has been at state four times in the last five years and has its top-two hitters back from last year’s 32-10 squad, seniors Vix Vilott and Elinor Engel. The Cougars only lost four players to graduation and senior setter Tori Creason also returns. Derby was 25-12 last season and returns a pair of All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail I selections, including first-teamer Addy Foster. Blue Valley Northwest pushed Olathe Northwest in a three-set loss in the sub-state finals and finished last year 22-15. The Huskies return first-team All-Eastern Kansas League setter Alayna Pearson and second-leading hitter Avery Ahlers, and only lost four seniors off last year’s team. 
 
 

 
CLASS 5A
 
2021 State Champion: Lansing
 
2021 State Runner-up: St. James Academy
 
2021 Review: After a run of several years of knocking on the door – three top-four finishes from 2017-2020 -- Lansing finally reached the top of the mountain last season. After starting the season with a loss to 2020 state champion St. Thomas Aquinas, the Lions never lost again. Riding a tremendous senior class, the Lions capped a 38-1 season with a 25-20, 25-22 victory over perennial power St. James Academy in the championship match to earn the program’s first state championship since 2002. Lansing finished the season on a 38-match winning streak and was dominant in pool play at state, not allowing a team to score in the 20s in any set. Aquinas topped Seaman for third.
 
2022 Contenders: The depth of Lansing’s program will be tested in a big way as the Lions try to go after a second straight title and sixth straight state semifinal appearance. Not only did the Lions lose four-year starters Kamryn Farris and Caitlin Bishop, but also four other seniors who accounted for the bulk of the team’s offense last year, including leading hitters Olivia Mae VanDerWerff and Iyannah Jackson. Junior Anna Laincz and senior Skylar Weaver each recorded at least 160 kills in supporting roles last year and will step up into prominent roles this season. But the Lions will break in a new setter for the first time in five years and have plenty of question marks overall. After seeing its run of two straight titles end in the semifinals last year, St. Thomas Aquinas will be on the hunt to return to the top and deliver the program’s seventh state title since 2001. The Saints finished third last year, going 38-4 overall, and return another strong group. Losing Class 5A player of the year Ava Martin leaves a huge hole in the lineup and the Saints lost five seniors overall, but first-team All-Stater Betsy Goodenow, second-teamer Reagan Anderson and honorable mention pick Tatum Grimes gives the Saints some serious weapons for junior setter Kelsey Schenck with sophomore Alea Goolsby also a powerful hitter, ranking third on the team in kills last year as a freshman. St. James Academy ended the Saints’ title run with an epic 25-23, 23-25, 26-24 semifinal victory at state last year. But the Thunder couldn’t quite finish off the run and claim the program’s 10^th state title since its opening in 2005, falling to Lansing in the finals. St. James has to be considered the 5A favorite this season, returning all but three seniors off last year’s runner-up team. The Thunder did lose kill leader Rachel Ziesman, a second-team All-Stater, but rode a strong group of underclassmen last year who are back. Sophomore setter Reese Messer was a first-team All-Stater, while juniors Ava Spachek, Mya Bolton and Heidi Devers were All-State selections as well. Seaman finished fourth in Class 5A last year, putting together a 27-13 season. It was the Vikings third top-four finish since 2009 and the trip was the sixth during that same span. Seaman lost standout Drew Baxter to graduation, but only two others are gone and they were minimal contributors. The bulk of the Vikings’ top players are still underclassmen this year with libero Laynee Brown one of only three seniors. Sophomore Maegan Mills and junior Taylin Stallbaumer ranked just behind Baxter in kills, each with at least 200, and six-footers Brooklyn Gormley and Reagan McGivern give the Vikings presences in the middle block. Maize South has made four straight state appearances and took fourth in 2020 before going 0-3 in pool play last year, ending the season with a 30-11 record. The Mavericks are positioned to get back into the top four this season, returning all but four players off last year’s team. Sophomore Jillian Gregory led six Mavericks with at least 100 kills last year as a freshman and will team with junior Gracie Morrow to give the Mavericks a big 1-2 punch at the outside hitter spots to go along with senior middle Avery Lowe. Bishop Carroll is a perennial contender in 5A having qualified for state 18 of the last 20 seasons. The Golden Eagles didn’t make it out of pool play last year and finished just 26-14 overall. They lost standouts in leading hitter Makenzie Dugan and libero Lily Ebright to graduation, but seniors Lillie Gorges and Ally Larkin are a strong duo to rebuild around, ranking second and third on the team in kills last year. Senior setter Grace Long also returns. Spring Hill showed its might last year, beating powers St. James Academy and Olathe Northwest during the season. The three-time reigning unbeaten Frontier League champions made it to state for just the second time since 1986 and wound up 31-8 overall. The Broncos have a big task on their hands in replacing four senior starters, but junior Shannon Frakes ranked second on the team in kills and senior setter Daphne Gardner was a first-team all-leaguer who had nearly 1,000 assists last year. Emporia rode a big senior class back to its first state tournament since 2016 and finished last season 26-12. Graduation claimed six seniors with senior middle hitter Rebecca Snyder the top returner for the Spartans this season. United Kansas Conference members Basehor-Linwood and Shawnee Heights could challenge for state berths this year. Basehor went 24-10 last year, falling to Spring Hill in the sub-state finals, and return standouts Mila Seaton and Taylor Cruse, while Heights is a perennial contender that is coming off a 16-15 season and returns all-leaguers Emily Loy, Ellie Curry and Taylor Rottinghaus. Mill Valley posted 30 wins last year but graduated four All-Sunflower League selections. Andover and Andover Central each had at least 20 wins last year and return key pieces to take the next step and secure state berths. Central (25-14) will be led by seniors Maddi Amekporfor and Allie Paulsen, while Andover (20-15) is led by seniors Sophie Hall and Kenzie Foster. Topeka West is coming off the best season in program history, going 27-10 last year. The Chargers were upset in the sub-state semifinals by Valley Center but return the bulk of their squad led by All-Centennial League pick Makinsey Jones. Eisenhower was 23-10 last season but also was upset in the sub-state semifinals. The Tigers lost AVCTL II player of the year Hannah Weber and first-team all-leaguer Isabel Trometer, but return second-teamers Delainee Dexter and Addison Verbeck.
 
 

 
CLASS 4A
 
2021 State Champion: Andale
 
2021 State Runner-up: Ottawa
 
2021 Review: One of the state’s top overall athletic schools – boys and girls – Andale added a state championship banner that had eluded it throughout the years by capturing the 4A state volleyball title last fall. The Indians had taken second in both 2019 and 2020 before breaking through for the title in 2021. It didn’t come easily. After losing in pool play to Circle in a grueling three-setter (22-25, 31-29, 25-23), the Indians bounced back to rout Baldwin 25-17, 25-9 in the semifinals to set up a title showdown with Ottawa, which knocked off Bishop Miege in its semifinal match. Andale took a 26-24 win in the first set only to see Ottawa take the second 25-23 and blow out to an 11-4 lead in the third set. But Andale buckled down and roared back to take the final set 25-21 for the program’s first state championship.
 
2022 Contenders: After its breakthrough, Andale should once again be in the hunt to successfully defend its title. The Indians will have to replace five seniors off their title team, including setter Annabeth Baalmann, a first-team All-Stater. But senior standout McKenzie Fairchild is one of the state’s top athletes – an Oregon commit in track – and was the 4A player of the year last year. She led the team in kills last year and Andale’s next two top hitters also return in first-team All-Stater Maddie Schrandt – who had the title-clinching kill – and senior Jenna Keupker. Runner-up a year ago for the best finish in program history, Ottawa must replace five key seniors that has helped the Cyclones to top-three finishes the past two seasons, including setter Kirsten Evans. Junior Emery Keebaugh led the team in kills last year as a sophomore and was a first-team All-Stater. She’ll team with senior Aleah Gollier to give the Cyclones a strong duo at the net. Forget the record every year in the case of Bishop Miege. Last year the Stags took a 14-23 record into the state tournament, but wound up taking third after winning the 2020 title with a 22-11 record. The Stags have 26 state titles overall and play in one of the toughest leagues in the state, hardening them for the postseason every year. Last year’s squad was relatively young with just three seniors and the underclassmen carried the bulk of the load. Senior Ali Olson and sophomore Lauren Lopez were 1-2 on the team in kills, while junior Ava Martin ran the show from her setter position. All three were second-team All-Staters. Baldwin is coming off its best state showing since a runner-up finish in 2014. The Bulldogs are poised to take the next step with all but three players returning off last year’s fourth-place team. Junior Fisayo Afonja is one of the top hitters in 4A while senior Chaney Barth was right behind her in kills last season. The Bulldogs must replace setter Sophie Baker. Circle nearly worked its way into the semifinals last year when it knocked off Andale in the final match of pool play. But tiebreakers didn’t fall the Thunderbirds’ way and instead they settled for a 35-7 season. Only four seniors graduated off Circle’s roster, including libero Ella Mullins and second-leading hitter Marissa Holt. But junior Jacqueline Corcoran led the team in kills last year and was first-team All-State and junior setter Reagan Smith and junior hitter Mia Fox also return. McPherson was one of only three teams to beat Andale last year, splitting with the Indians during the regular season. Stuck in a pool with Andale, Circle and Miege at state, the Bullpups missed out on making the semifinals for the second straight year and finished the season 33-9. Graduation hit hard, claiming Rhian Swanson, who had 2,000 kills in her career, as well as setter Brette Doile and libero Ella Schmidt. Junior Karter Alvord was second to Swanson in kills last year and will lead a group of solid complements from a year ago looking to step into bigger roles. Like Circle, Augusta saw its bid for reaching the state semifinals end on a tiebreaker after tying Baldwin and Ottawa with 2-1 pool play records. The Orioles finished 30-10 overall and showed their toughness after losing three senior starters to injury late in the season. The experience the younger players got should pay dividends this season. Seniors Trinity McMichael and Avery Williams earned all-league honors last year and will take over as team leaders this season. Labette County was the Southeast Kansas Conference champion last year and took a 37-3 record into the state tournament before going 0-3 in pool play. The Cardinals lost All-State senior Anna Dean as well as eight others off last year’s team with senior setter Shelbi Wilson the top returner this season. After years of being among the best in 4A, Louisburg slid back a little last year, finishing 19-17 overall. But the Wildcats were a three-set loss to Baldwin in the sub-state finals from getting back to state. Louisburg must replace a trio of all-leaguers, including first-teamer Corinna McMullen. Fort Scott was 27-9, upset by Ottawa in the sub-state finals. The Tigers lost first-team all-leaguer Abby Altic, but return second teamers Raveyn Kegler and McKenzie Murphy. Abilene (24-14) and Clay Center (24-6) were the class of the North Central Kansas League last year and each made the sub-state finals with Clay Center upset by Augusta. Both were senior heavy last year, but routinely put together teams capable of getting to the state tournament.
 
 

 
CLASS 3A
 
2021 State Champion: Olathe Heritage Christian
 
2021 State Runner-up: Cheney
 
2021 Review: State champions in Class 2A in 2020, some wondered how Olathe Heritage Christian would handle the move up to Class 3A last fall. The Chargers’ response? Just fine, thank you. Going into the state tournament with a glossy 35-2 record – the lone losses coming to 6A qualifier Free State and 5A runner-up St. James Academy – Heritage Christian backed that record up, taking straight-set wins in each of its three pool play matches. After fighting off Beloit 25-23, 25-20 in the semifinals, the Chargers wrapped up their second straight state title with a 25-22, 25-22 win over Cheney in the title match, capping a 40-2 season that saw them drop just eight sets all season. Cheney finished 40-4, while Smoky Valley topped Beloit for third.
 
2022 Contenders: Whether Heritage Christian is in 3A or 2A this year remains to be seen, determined once classifications are released in late September. Wherever the Chargers fall, they’ll be a favorite to make it three straight championships and five overall. Only one player graduated off last year’s state championship team, libero Jessa Rose. The Chargers have two of the top juniors in the state in Rachel Van Gorp and Cy Rae Campbell, both first-team All-State selections last year. Van Gorp also was the 3A player of the year. Setter Maci Hazel is one of only four seniors on this year’s roster, giving Heritage Christian the looks of a title contender for the next few years. Two of Cheney’s four losses last year came to Heritage Christian at state as the Cardinals rode a stellar senior class to one of the best seasons in program history. The task for Cheney this year is reloading as graduation claimed six seniors, including setter Brooklyn Wewe and leading hitter Olivia Ablers. But there is plenty back to do just that with seniors Campbell Hague and Anna Martin and junior Alex Bittner ranking 2-3-4 in kills last year. Libero Kori Lies also returns, giving the Cardinals a strong nucleus to build around. Smoky Valley has gone 74-9 over the past two seasons with two top-three state finishes – third last year and runner-up in 2020. The Vikings were all seniors and sophomores last year and while losing former 3A player of the year Abby Rose and fellow middle Madi Tolle to graduation hurts, this year’s junior class boasted plenty of key contributors last year. Junior outside hitter Hope Duncan was third on the team in kills and has junior setter Adrian Hazelwood back after she posted close to 900 assists last year. Beloit very well may have one of the top 1-2 punches in the state and the good news for the Trojans is they’re both underclassmen. Sophomore Addi Budke led the entire state in kills with just under 700 on her way to first-team All-State honors. Junior teammate Mylie Brown wasn’t far behind with just over 500 kills, giving the Trojan duo nearly 1,200 combined kills. Beloit finished in the top four for the fourth time since 2016 and though the Trojans must replace some key complements to their dynamic duo, only four players were lost off last year’s state team total. Goodland has been a program on the rise and followed up a fourth-place finish in 2020 with a 37-6 record last year, unable to make it out of pool play. The Cowboys broke through in basketball last year, taking the 3A state title, and could carry that momentum over to the volleyball court with all but two players back. Last year’s top three hitters return, led by All-Staters Talexa Weeter and Lindsey Cure and senior setter Olivia Lehman is also back. The Cowboys have great size with five players 5-10 or taller. Watch out for Riverton, which set a school record for wins last year, going 39-5. The Rams were a three-set loss to Beloit in pool play away from making it to the state semifinals for the first time. Everyone returns as the Rams had no seniors on last year’s state roster. Senior hitter Jacy Thomasson is one of the top players in the state and has nearly 1,500 kills in her career. Fellow senior Morgan Compton went over 1,000 career assists last year. Eureka was the top seed at last year’s state tournament, going in with a 35-1 record – the lone loss coming to 4A qualifier Circle. But the Tornadoes went 0-3 at state, leaving the team hungry coming into 2022. The loss of five seniors, including setter London Hilton and libero Gracie Walden, will hurt, but Eureka returns leading hitter Maggie Miller, a senior, and junior standout Ashley Singhateh, a multi-sport standout who ranked second in kills and first in blocks last year. Nemaha Central and Hiawatha battled it out all season long in the Big Seven League. Hiawatha got the league title – its first since 1997 – but Nemaha got the state berth, topping the Red Hawks in the sub-state finals. The Thunder went 0-3 at state and finished the season 36-9 overall while Hiawatha finished with a 38-4 overall record. Both teams took big hits in graduation losses with Hiawatha losing all but three from its varsity roster. Senior setter Josie Delaney and libero Sutton Diller return to lead Hiawatha, while Addy Holthaus is back for Nemaha after leading the Thunder in kills. Rossville was stuck in the same sub-state as Nemaha and Hiawatha, falling to Nemaha in the semifinals. The Bulldawgs still put together a 30-9 season and return leading hitter Kinsey Perine and several other key pieces including Brinley Dyche and Kinley Porter. Marysville also was in the same sub-state and returns setter Bella Rader from a 28-13 team. TMP-Marian went 28-11 last year after reaching the 2020 state quarterfinals. The Monarchs fell to Beloit in the sub-state finals last year and must replace multi-time All-Stater Emilee Lane. Phillipsburg might have challenged for a state berth and more if standout Heather Schemper hadn’t gone down with an injury during the regular season last year. The Panthers still fashioned a 25-13 mark and made the sub-state semifinals and with Schemper back could go further this season. Perennial contender Silver Lake had a solid 28-9 season last year, but it hardly reached the standards the program has set with state titles the norm rather than the exception. The Eagles will look to get back in its customary position this year behind senior hitter Leah Cook and senior libero Lexis Berndt. West Franklin took third in 2020 and finished 31-8 last year, but lost a pair of first-team all-leaguers. Senior Katie Ecord and junior Adelle Higbie take over as team leaders this season, looking to get the Falcons back to state after falling in the sub-state finals to eventual champion Heritage Christian last year. Perry-Lecompton was 23-12 last year and has a standout hitter in Taylor Damme. Nickerson reached the sub-state finals last year, going 30-11, but took a huge blow to this year’s outlook when standout Ava Jones was seriously injured in a car accident this summer. The Panthers also lost all-leaguer Josie McLean, who moved to Hutchinson. Holcomb was 35-6 last year but was upset in the sub-state semifinals by GWAC rival Scott City, which finished 30-10. Both lost a pair of first-team all-league selections, but the Longhorns do return first-teamer Paige Jones. Lakin was 28-10 last year and fell in the sub-state quarterfinals. The Broncos return first-team all-leaguers Taegan Bachman and Jara Davidson and second-teamer Sammie Vogel. Humboldt posted 30 wins last year and returns a pair of all-league selections in senior Karley Woods and junior Kenisyn Hottenstein. With all-leaguers Sarah Graham and Kortney Koster back, Wichita Trinity Academy will look to build off last year’s 31-6 season that ended with a sub-state finals loss to Smoky Valley. The CNC was loaded last year with Frontenac (32-9) and Girard (31-8) both enjoying big seasons and Baxter Springs (25-16) not far behind. Frontenac pushed Riverton to three sets in the sub-state finals and returns first-team all-leaguer Hattie Pyle and second-teamer Mia Brown. Girard must replace a pair of all-league picks, but returns senior Bailey Troike. Baxter’s Hallee White was first-team all-league and Lilly Weston was second team.
 
 

 
CLASS 2A
 
2021 State Champion: Smith Center
 
2021 State Runner-up: Hillsboro
 
2021 Review: Coming off a runner-up finish to Olathe Heritage Christian in 2020, Smith Center certainly didn’t shed any tears when the Chargers moved up to Class 3A last season. Especially not with the Lady Red returning their entire roster from that runner-up squad. After 15 previous trips to state ended short of the program capturing the state title, Smith Center was not going to be denied in 2021. The Lady Red lost only to 3A programs Beloit and TMP-Marian in a 35-2 regular season, rolled through sub-state play allowing just 43 total points in three matches and then set their sites on the elusive title. Smith Center swept through pool play without dropping a set and handled Ellinwood 25-20, 25-11 in the semifinals. After getting pushed by Hillsboro 25-23 in the first set of the title match, Smith Center flexed and cruised 25-12 in the second set to cap a 41-2 season with its first state crown. Hillsboro finished 35-10 and runner-up for the second time in eight years. Garden Plain took third, topping Ellinwood in three sets in the consolation final.
 
2022 Contenders: Plain and simple, Smith Center isn’t going anywhere. Even with all of its experience a year ago, the Lady Red’s state roster only included three seniors. Now, they were good ones. Tallon Rentschler was the 2A player of the year and fellow senior Ashlyn Long joined her as a first-team All-Stater. But the returning cast is strong. Junior Camryn Hutchinson stepped in as the team’s setter from day one of her freshman year and already has more than 1,000 assists, earning first-team All-State honors as well. Junior Gracie Kirchhoff posted more than 200 kills last year and moves into the primary attacker position this year. It’s pretty easy to picture a rematch of last year’s state championship match as Hillsboro also was loaded with underclassmen a year ago. The Trojans will miss All-State hitter Sammie Saunders, who led the team in kills. But plenty of firepower returns with juniors Zaylee Werth and Savannah Shahan right behind Saunders in kills and senior Kori Arnold returning at libero. Nine of Hillsboro’s 10 losses last year came to state-qualifying teams. Garden Plain’s third-place showing simply carried on a tradition that has seen the Owls finish in the top three seven times since 2008, including state titles in 2008, 2015 and 2018 – the latter of those in 2A. Losing senior hitter Brooke Hammond and setter Naomi Dooley are big blows with both earning All-State honors, but libero Sydney Puetz and setter/hitter Ryleigh Stuhlsatz will lead a strong core that will look to keep the Owls in the hunt. Ellinwood made up for a hollow finish to the 2020 season when the Eagles had to quarantine during sub-state week after earning the tourney’s top seed. Last year, the Eagles finished 35-8 overall, four of the losses coming at the state tournament. Setter Mary Dimitt is gone, but whoever fills those shoes has some weapons to distribute to in seniors Bella Baker, Brittany Simpson and Gabby Jacobs. Jacobs led the team in kills, but also split time at setter. Dimitt was last year’s lone senior. Hardened by a brutal CNC schedule, Pittsburg Colgan caught fire late in the season to get back to state for the fourth time seven years. The Panthers were 0-3 at state to finish 26-17 and will have to replace standouts Lauren Yaghmour and Emily Imhof. But only one other player was lost to graduation and senior Lauren Torrance is back after ranking second on the team in kills last year. Wabaunsee only lost four seniors off last year’s 34-10 team, but the shoes will be big ones to fill. Departed All-Stater Lauren Schutter is arguably the best player in program history, while setter Kara Hafenstine did a little bit of everything for the Chargers a year ago. Jefferson North is loaded after making it to state and finishing 34-9 overall. All-Stater Adie Manville was the lone senior on last year’s state roster and her presence in the middle will be missed. But everyone else is back, including senior hitter/setter Audrey Bell and senior hitter Alicyn Thompson. Maranatha Academy broke through for just its second trip ever to state and picked up a pool play win over eventual fourth-place finisher Ellinwood. The Eagles graduated three seniors, including leading hitter Madison Piva, but return the bulk of the starters including four players with at least 100 kills, led by all-leaguer Laine Sramek. St. Francis/Cheylin was 31-6 last year, falling to Smith Center in the sub-state finals. Five seniors must be replaced and Jesslyn Houtman is the top returner, finishing last year with 149 kills. Meade/Fowler looked poised for a breakthrough season, going 33-1 in the regular season. But the Buffaloes were upset in the sub-state finals by Ellinwood, finishing 35-2. Six seniors have graduated leaving sophomore Carlie Martin to carry the load as they look to reload this season. Flinthills saw a 28-6 end prematurely with a sub-state semifinal loss to Remington. The Mustangs’ fire should be lit and with all but one player back they should capitalize on it. Sophomore Harlee Randall led the team in kills as a freshman and senior setter Karly Girty was a first-team All-South Central Border League selection. Sedan went 26-9, upset by Colgan in the sub-state finals. The Blue Devils return first-team all-leaguer Jacie Cummings, who posted 340 kills last year, and setters Haley Sellers and Madison Holt. Jackson Heights figures to give Jefferson North a battle in the Northeast Kansas League after going 27-10 and falling to the Chargers in the sub-state finals. The Cobras have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league in seniors Kanyon Olberding and Kaylee Thompson, the duo combining for 536 kills last year. They will have a new setter getting them the ball and that could hold the key to the season. McLouth will also challenge in the league, going 25-8 last year and returning all-leaguer Jill Holwick. Sedgwick was 35-4 last year and knocked off in the sub-state finals by eventual runner-up Hillsboro. The Cardinals return leading hitter Talya Sampson and senior Addie Fitch, the duo combining for 532 kills last year. Sterling was 29-9 last year with a senior-heavy roster. But sophomore six-footer Lily Gray is a force at the net and led the team last year as a freshman with 326 kills. If the Black Bears can fill the many holes around her, they could stay in the hunt. Valley Heights also lost a strong senior class of last year’s 27-10 team, while Herington went 30-8 and also lost a big senior class – both having their seasons ended by Wabaunsee last year. Sophomore Leslyn Kremeier returns for Herington after being an honorable mention all-league pick.
 
 

 
CLASS 1A DIVISION I
 
2021 State Champion: Spearville
 
2021 State Runner-up: Pretty Prairie
 
2021 Review: Throughout its recent history, Spearville had endured a number of close calls in trying to secure the program’s first state volleyball title. Second in Class 1A in 2018. Second in 2A in 2019. Top-three finishes in 2011, 2013 and 2015. In 2021, the Lancers were not going to be denied. But it wasn’t easy. Spearville survived three-set victories over Centralia and Burlingame in pool play to reach the semifinals. Riding that momentum, the Lancers thrashed Victoria 25-14, 25-21 in the semifinals and then jumped out to a 9-0 lead on Pretty Prairie in the first set of the title match. But after taking a 25-10 win in the set, Spearville saw Pretty Prairie charge back, taking a 26-24 win in the second set to force a third. Spearville snapped back to life, taking leads of 16-6 and 17-8 before settling for a 25-17 victory to cap a 37-7 season and finally wear the crown. Perennial power Centralia took third, beating Victoria after dropping a three-set semifinal to Pretty Prairie.
 
2022 Contenders: Got one, why not two? Spearville certainly has to be considered the favorite after its breakthrough title season. The Lancers do graduate three seniors off their state squad, including hitter Anna Stein and setter Taelor Rucker. But they also return 1A Division I player of the year Cameron Offerle and fellow first-team All-Stater Tawney Krominga, the two leaders for their offensive attack a year ago. The duo arguably is the top tandem in 1A Division I this year. Following its runner-up finish, Pretty Prairie used that confidence to capture the Class 1A Division I state basketball title in the winter. The Bulldogs will have to reload to complete its quest for the volleyball crown, losing five seniors to graduation including All-Staters Aubrey Young and McKenna Vogl. Bailey Young returns after ranking second on the team in kills last year. The conversation about title contenders each year in 1A includes Centralia at or near the top of the list. The Panthers boast one of the most tradition-rich programs in the state in any class, capturing 15 state titles overall. The last came in 2018, capping a three-peat, but the three-year title drought is the longest for the program in years and this year’s seniors are hungry to get Centralia back on top. Senior hitter Raegan Becker was a first-team All-Stater last year and though four seniors off last year’s team graduated, she’ll lead a strong group of returners that only know winning. Victoria lost four starters among five seniors off last year’s fourth-place team, including All-Stater Kassi Weber. But the program has been to state three straight years. Little River returned to state last year for the first time since 2005, but is poised to make it back again this season with the bulk of its squad returning. The biggest loss to graduation was All-Stater Lily Boughfman, who led the team in kills. But juniors Alaina Eck, Aubrey Olander, Kate Ellwood and Ashley Stephenson give the Redskins more than enough firepower to perhaps take the next step and seriously challenge for the title. Lakeside is coming off the first state trip in program history and had a strong senior class of five that must be replaced. Junior Lauren Brummet led the Knights in kills last year and was a second-team All-Stater. Burlingame ended a state drought of nearly 40 years with its state berth last year. The Bearcats finished the season 26-10 and will have to replace standouts Daelyn Winters and Brook Lewis. Junior Kaylin Noonan had more than 250 assists and 125 kills last year and senior middle Alexandra Crook had nearly 100 blocks. Atwood-Rawlins County was a surprise qualifier last year, taking a 16-18 mark into the state tourney after upsetting South Gray in the sub-state finals last year. The Buffaloes must replace four-year setter Ashlyn Livas and two other senior starters, but return a solid core in senior Michaela Rippe, junior Abby Micek and sophomore Tayten Dewey. South Gray finished 27-10 and stinging from its upset loss. Junior Attison Clark is one of two returning All-SPIAA player for the Rebels along with junior Kaylee Moyer. Goessel (25-12) has spent years as a top contender in 1A or 2A and must replace two senior all-leaguers but returns all-league sophomore Brooklyn Wuest. Kiowa County finished 28-6 last year, falling in the sub-state finals to eventual champion Spearville. The Mavericks have a big hole with the graduation of All-Stater Addi Heinson and a trio of other all-league performers. South Central could emerge even more this year after posting 19 wins last year, led by junior Kodie Herd. St. Paul was 28-5 last year and returns three players who earned All-Three Rivers League honors including first-teamer Josey Harris. Osborne and Thunder Ridge each had 20-plus win seasons in the Northern Plains League last year. Senior Toree Slavik returns for Thunder Ridge after being a first-team all-leaguer last year, while Trinity Lutters is Osborne’s top returner and was second-team all-league. 

 
 

 
CLASS 1A DIVISION II
 
2021 State Champion: Hanover
 
2021 State Runner-up: Lebo
 
2021 Review: Something was going to have to give with Hanover returning as the 2020 Class 1A Division II state champion and Central Plains dropping down after winning not only the 2020 1A Division I title but the 2019 1A crown as well. Both qualified for state and found themselves in the same pool. Hanover topped the Oilers in straight sets to finish off a 3-0 pool showing. A rematch in the finals was denied – Hanover beating Hutchinson Central Christian but Central Plains falling to Lebo – but it mattered little to Hanover. The Wildcats handled Lebo 25-18, 25-19 in the title match to win their second straight state title. Hanover finished the season 40-5, as did Lebo, which finished runner-up for the second straight year, taking second to Central Plains in 1A I in 2020. Central Plains bounced back to take third.
 
2022 Contenders: As back-to-back champions, Hanover will wear the target all season long. But the Wildcats should be well-equipped to handle the pressure. Sure, four seniors are gone, including a trio of four-year starters in Madison Bruna, Allison Jueneman and Avery Behrends. But senior Ceegan Atkins is back and was the 1A II player of the year in 2020, and led the team in kills each of her seasons. Fellow senior Massey Holle is back in the middle after ranking third on the team in kills last year. Behrends will be hard to replace at setter, but the foundation for success has been laid and Hanover had a lot of young players get valuable experience last year. With two straight runner-up finishes, Lebo is chomping at the bit to get over the hump and get the program’s first state title after having four runner-up finishes in program history. The Wolves lost standout Abby Peek, a four-year starter at setter/hitter, but virtually everyone else returns. Senior Brooklyn Jones and sophomore Saige Hadley were first-team All-Staters last year, with Hadley leading the team in kills and Jones third despite missing a month with a hand injury. Junior Audrey Peek and sophomore Abi Jones also started with Peek earning postseason honors after ranking second on the team in kill and first in digs. Central Plains might finally be in a rebuilding mode after its recent run of success. The Oilers lost not only 1A Division II player of the year Kassidy Nixon, but five other seniors off last year’s team that finished 33-10. Those are some big holes and last year’s state squad only had one junior, Reese McGuire. Central Christian returns plenty of firepower from its 29-win fourth-place squad as only three seniors graduated. The loss of leading hitter Samantha Ramsey leaves a big void, but senior setter Kaylee Kauffman does return. The Cougars have finished top four at state the past two seasons. Wheatland-Grinnell is coming off a 30-win season and lost five seniors to graduation. But junior Karoline Schroeder was second on the team in kills last year and led the team in digs. Last year’s trip was the seventh in eight years and the Thunderhawks have a state title (2015) and three seconds (2007, 2010, 2016). Dighton faces a reload/rebuild situation after riding a senior class of five to state last year. The Hornets finished 27-11 overall and will be led by returning all-league senior Allie VonLeonrod. Centre made state with just a .500 record last year, its first trip sine 1994. But the Cougars should improve on that mark and potentially get back after losing only two seniors to graduation. Sophomore Olivia Carlson is the top returner. Bucklin ended a 10-year state drought last year despite going just 14-24 overall. The Red Aces have a standout in All-Stater Halie Feikert and finished last year with a ton of momentum after a slow start. Beloit-St. John’s/Tipton (25-10) and Linn (26-13) both had state-tournament caliber teams a year ago but were stuck in the same sub-state as Hanover. St. John’s returns first-team all-leaguer Ella Wiles and second-teamer Sophia Thompson while Linn is led by returning honorable mention All-Stater and first-team all-leaguer Sophia Bott. Golden Plains was the top seed in its sub-state before getting knocked off by Wheatland-Grinnell. The Bulldogs graduate four players that earned all-league honors and will lean heavily on returner Breanna Rath. Logan-Palco also posted 22 wins and fell to Wheatland-Grinnell and must replace all three of its all-league picks from last year. Tribune-Greeley County reached the sub-state finals and went 21-14. Sophomore setter Iliany Yanez is the top returner for the Jackrabbits. Attica finished as state runner-up in 2020 to Hanover, but was denied a return trip last year by Central Christian. Attica finished 34-4 overall and lost standout Tamara Lozoya, but returns all-leaguers in seniors Allie Burton and Sidney Swingle and sophomore Chloe Traffas.